Symbolic illustration of Laura's hands holding a glass unicorn

The Glass Menagerie

by Tennessee Williams

Start Free Trial

Student Question

Are there Biblical allusions to Jesus's life in "The Glass Menagerie"?

Quick answer:

"The Glass Menagerie" contains subtle Biblical allusions to Jesus's life, particularly through the "gentleman caller" scene, which parallels the Annunciation. Amanda sees the caller as a savior for Laura, using religious imagery like light and altar candles to emphasize this. However, Jim's failure to fulfill this role highlights the play's pessimism. Additionally, the broken unicorn symbolizes the fragility and transformation akin to Christ's crucifixion, suggesting themes of normalcy through brokenness.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Religious symbols and allusions are fairly subtle in Scene 5 and 6 of "The Glass Menagerie."  For one, the "gentleman caller" announcement by Tom begins with the legend "Annunciation," an allusion to the angel's Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she would bear a son, Jesus.  Of course, the gentleman caller is perceived by Amanda as a savior for Laura who has no skills and must be dependent upon a man's care.  As her mother puts the finishing touches on Laura's dress, Laura is seen with uplifted arms and a light shines on her "unearthly prettiness" in this "momentary radiance." Production notes describe Laura as having "a peculiar pristine clarity, such as light used in the early religious portraits of female saints and madonnas." Amanda is described as crouching before her--as one in worship?--"adjusting the hem...devout and ritualistic." 

In Christian scriptures Jesus as the savior is presented as the light of the world, so the use...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

of lighting can suggest religious overtones.  For instance, when Jim lights a cigarette and leans back, smiling at Laura, Williams describes her as being light "inwardly with altar candles." Later, these "holy candles in the altar of LAURA'S face have been snuffed out" when Jim informs her that he is engaged.

Thus, Jim is unable to serve as savior.  Instead of offering Laura the bread and wine of the sacraments, he offers her wine and chewing gum.  His sermon is not religious; instead, he preaches a secular gospel of self-help.  Finally, he abandons Laura for another, leaving her alone to blow out the candles of her altar.  These religious symbols and allusions, therefore, serve subltely to add to the false hopes of the characters, thereby enhancing the pessimism of the play.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

I've never heard that, but I can see where you might be able to make that connection.  The main symbol in this story is the glass collection--chiefly the unicorn.  Because it is made of glass, it is fragile just like Laura.  However, she is both physically and emotionally fragile.  But the symbolism doesn't have to stop there. When the horn of the unicorn breaks off, Laura sees how it becomes "normal," and similar to the regular horses since it doesn't have something to make it stand out. So, being broken makes it normal--just like the other glass horses.  (it is her way of trying to feel normal by being "broken" too)

Like the unicorn, Christ was "broken" when crucified--he was killed just like all the men before him who had gone against "the law."  Or you can look at it as God breaking himself down into Jesus--in the form of a man to be closer to "normalcy" here on earth.  Honestly, you could make it work if you had to, but I don't see any other possible allusion.

Approved by eNotes Editorial