The play, The Glass Menagerie , by Tennessee Williams portrays the escapisms and illusions of the Wingfield family, Laura, Tom and Amanda, and the varying degree of damage these indulgences cause to themselves and others. The difficult and trying situations in which the Wingfield family find themselves cause them to descend into a world of glass figures, past glories, and dreams of adventure. It is a world, though not real, that is more pleasant than the truth and this is alluded to from the conception of the play by Tom, the narrator:
Tom: Yes, I have tricks in my pocket, I have things up my sleave. But I am the opposite of a stage magician. He gives you illusion that has the appearance of truth. I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.
However, the detrimental effect of these illusions to the individual as well as to others only reinforces the image of a family of misfits.
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