The play "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams is a play in which an essential conflict between illusions and dreams for they oppose reality. Williams uses a plethora of symbols to portray the key ideas and difference of dreams and reality especially those of the unicorn in Laura's glass menagerie; the fire-escape and the character of Jim O'Connor. The three key characters Tom, Amanda and Laura are trapped in circumstances which are beyond their control. …showed first 75 words of 1141 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1141 total…down the fire-escape to his world of adventures in the "merchant marines". Thus, it is evident through the symbols of the fire-escape, the unicorn and Jim O'Connor help reinforce the themes of dreams and reality. The three key characters have to live partly in a life of illusion in order to cope with the harsh reality. At the end it is only Tom who is able to live the life that he often dreamt of.