Student Question
In The Glass Menagerie, how is the blue roses symbol similar to the glass unicorn?
Quick answer:
The symbols of "blue roses" and the glass unicorn both represent Laura's uniqueness and fragility. "Blue roses," a nickname given by Jim, highlights her unusual beauty, much like her treasured glass unicorn. Both signify her difference from others and her isolation. Jim temporarily breaks through her seclusion, symbolized by the unicorn's broken horn, suggesting she could become less "freakish." However, Jim's engagement shatters this possibility, leaving Laura isolated once more.
The ‘blue roses’ symbol is similar to that of the glass unicorn as both represent Laura. It refers to the friendly nickname that Jim bestowed on Laura in high school, while the unicorn is Laura’s most cherished piece of glass.
Like the unicorn, this image of blue roses emphasises Laura’s unusual qualities, as well as her fragile beauty. She herself notes that ‘blue is wrong – for roses’ but Jim assures her that ‘it’s right for you' (scene 7)
Jim recognises that Laura is not like other people. She lives in a world of her own, withdrawn from others. For a time, though, it seems that Jim has really succeeded in breaking through to her, as symbolised in his breaking of the unicorn’s horn. Laura responds positively to this:
I’ll just imagine that he had an operation. The horn was removed to make him feel less – freakish! (scene 7)
The unicorn has now become more like other creatures, less ‘freakish’, just as Laura seems to become more like other people, less isolated and awkward, in Jim’s friendly presence. However, this does not last long, as Jim reveals he is engaged to be married and therefore can’t go on seeing her. Laura is left to resume her life of seclusion.
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