In the Play The Glass Menagerie , by Tennessee Williams, symbols represent his message he is trying to get through to his readers, a form of speech he wants us to notice and recognize. They are symbols to tell us and let us know, the significance of the meaning of the Entire play, TGM. It shows us a Significance for each of the Wingfield Family. Tom, Amanda and laura, on how things represent them, and what holds them back, obstacles in the way. These symbols show us that everyone has there paths and own ways, as the Wingfield family shows us throughout the Play. Symbols are important in The Glass menagerie. Like Tennessee Williams said "Life is an unanswered question, but let's still believe in the dignity of objects and importance of the it".
             An example of an Object, is Amanda's Cotillion dress which holds her back in the past. Her head still lives in the past as well as her methods. Her dress makes Amanda feel Conceded and cocky. Amanda is always bragging and bringing up the good times she had in the paths, and her ways to get what she wants. Making traps for men trying to lure them in as she said, "All pretty girls are a trap and men expect them to be traps". (Pg.43) It keeps Amanda's head in the clouds. She looks back to her dress and thinks anything she did before will work now. It's like she's not recognizing she's in modern time and she is still young and can do what she still wants. She always bragged and that what was holding her back, her dress was a symbol of an obstacle. She doesn't want to recognize the problems that is going on and try to fix them. she wants to use what she did already, but it won't work and be really successful like in her times. As she said "Invitations kept pouring over me.....My mom would tell me no more jonquils and I would say I will, and i kept bringing them....literally I had Gentlemen callers lining up for me..." (Pg.43-44). This symbol of the cotillion dress of Amanda holds her back from
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