Discuss how the glass menagerie celebrates the human need to dream.

"The glass menagerie" celebrates the human need to dream. This need is shown in Amanda's escapism, Tom's dream of adventure and Jim's American dream.

In 'The Glass Menagerie,' Amanda is constantly trying to escape from her poor, less-than-glamorous present by dreaming of a brighter, happier future for her daughter Laura. This dream is shown when Amanda is looking at the moon with Tom and thy both make a wish. Amanda expresses that her wish is only that her children will be happy. She wishes to and dreams of emulating the glamorous Blue Mountains past in Laura. In her illustrious past Amanda recalls having numerous suitors, leading a cotillion and attending the Governor's Ball. However her present, in a stark contrast, is a poor lower middle class life in a small rented apartment. She must escape from her harsh present by dreaming of a brighter future for Laura. However, this dream is all but unattainable.

My American Dream

American Dream (comics)

An American Dream (song)

For a brighter future in Laura, Amanda must find her a husband. This is difficult because Laura is exceedingly shy and retiring. The extent of her fear is shown when she vomits at and run away from the typewriting class Amanda enrolls her in. This shyness plus the fact that Laura is physically crippled, makes finding a suitable husband very difficult. However, despite the difficulties, Amanda sticks to her dream and this is what makes her admirable. Her dreaming escapism is an essential part of Amanda's life because without it, Amanda becomes, in tom's words an 'Ugly babbling old witch'. This is shown when her dream is shattered by Jim's engagement. When Jim brings the news to Amanda, and shatters her hope for a husband for Laura, Amanda loses her happy energetic nature of a minute before and begins yelling at Tom. The sudden...