Glass Menagerie : The play as a study of escapism

The Glass Menagerie introduced the audience to several characters who each have their own unique way of escaping from reality. Laura, Tom, Amanda and Jim are unable to live in their present life, but instead manage to escape from their lives into fantasy's and illusions. Amanda tries to escape from reality by living in the past and by trying to control her children. Tom, who seeks adventure, escapes from his life by going to the movies night after night and by working on his writing. Even Jim, who represents the "world of reality," is banking his future on public speaking and the televisi…