Illusion versus Reality in The Glass Menagerie.
How well a reader can identify with a piece of literature depends on his ability to associate with the ideas and characters presented to him. Williams "Glass Menagerie" provides many means in which the reader may identify with the work. Relating to the reader is necessary to grasp what the author is trying to express. One way in which a reader may relate to this piece is through the presences of illusions and reality. Each of the characters are living in their own illusions verses the reality. The characters do this in a way that they do not have to face the imperfections of their lives. The consequence of this illusion is that they will never truly be happy. One may find it more appealing to live life in an illusion than to face reality. The reader can relate to a living illusion, especially since as readers, one is part of a life/story that is not their own, during the time they read they are in sense living in an illusion.
Living in an illusion can be very appealing to one, since it gives you somewhat of an escape from reality. One can establish this very quickly in the characters, In fact, the first paragraph of the play describes the illusions to take place, "But I am the opposite of a stage musician. He gives you illusion that has the appearance of truth. I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion" (11). During Tom's monologue, he discusses the premise of the play; when it takes place, who the characters are, and how the play is to be perceived as a memory. His reference to illusion is not used as to describe any of the plays specific events, but rather to subtly give weight to the plays ideas. Although the play itself is an illusion of reality, Tom says that there is truth behind the illusion. A reader can use this as a sort of flashlight as one enters the play. Shinning it around, looking for the truth that Tom speaks.
