The Glass Menagerie (play)

*The Glass Menagerie* by Tennessee Williams is a semi-autobiographical play about a struggling family in 1930s St. Louis. Amanda, the mother, is nostalgic and anxious about her daughter Laura’s shyness and physical disability. Laura retreats into a world of glass animal figurines, symbolizing her fragility and innocence. The family’s son, Tom, dreams of escape but feels trapped by responsibility. Tom invites a gentleman caller to meet Laura, hoping to bring happiness, but the visit reveals their ongoing struggles with disappointment, longing, and unfulfilled dreams. The play explores themes of memory, illusion, and the complexity of family relationships.