The Glass Menagerie?

Question

Does any1 know the signification of the title The Glass Menagerie?

Answer 1

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/menagerie/

What does the symbol of the glass menagerie mean? The glass menagerie, in the play of the same name, is a powerful symbol in the play. It is almost a character in its own right (Hence the title of the play). The glass menagerie is not simply a stage prop; this questionably, adds a subtle fantastic element to the play. The reason I use the word 'subtle' is because the menagerie is not referred too, as being anything other than a glass menagerie, or collection of glass animals parse. The clever thing Tennessee Williams did though was use "The Glass Menagerie" as the title. This subconsciously makes you more aware of any slight mention of the glass menagerie. Making you speculate about the significance of this ordinary, but unusual, stage prop. The first mention of the glass menagerie is in the opening description of the stage. This is not of enormous significance, but is oddly described as an "Old-fashioned whatnot". This is an interesting choice of words

Answer 2

Laura's glass menagerie in the play, which is what the play gets it's title from, is a symbol for Laura's fragile, shy nature. The delicacy of the fragile glass mirrors her personality, and her feelings when in social which situations. She also uses it to escape her day to day life, like a child. At some point in the play Tom says "she lives in a world of her own, a world of little glass ornaments". Also, in the final scene, Jim O'Connor smashes her favourite glass animal, her unicorn, this is also a symbol for the smashing of her dream and hopes for a future with Jim.