The Glass Menagerie - Question 6

A large component of The Glass Menagerie was the contribution of music. The main theme song was titled "The Glass Menagerie" as well, composed by Paul Bowles. This song was cued at carefully selected moments in Tom's recollection of the past. It was played most often surrounding Laura's mood changes to sadness, inferiority, or embarrassment. On page 1239, the song is first introduced when Amanda inquires about gentleman callers to Laura. "What? No one - not one? You must be joking!" At this comment, Laura becomes ashamed and distances herself from the others behind the portieres, serving as a great indicator of her feelings of embarrassment and inferiority. This song was symbolic of Laura. She herself was like the glass collection she had: fragile, unusual to others, and easily broken.