Illusion vs. Reality in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee WilliamsThe Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, contains multiple themes. While there are many themes, the one that holds the piece together is illusion versus reality. This theme is established very quickly, in fact, the first paragraph of the work describes the illusions that will take place: "But I am the opposite of a stage musician. He gives you the illusion that has the appearance of truth, I give you the truth under the pleasant disguise of illusion" (1866). During Tom's monologue, he discusses the premise of the play; when it takes place, who the characters are and how the work should be perceived (as I remember). His reference to illusion is not used to describe any of the play's specific events, but rather to subtly give weight to the play's ideas. Although the show itself is an illusion of reality, Tom says there is truth behind the illusion. We use it as a sort of flashlight when we enter the show. We make it shine, seeking the truth that Tom speaks of. We also look for the realities and illusions of the drama. Williams, by stating this idea at the beginning, focuses the reader's mind into such a state that he will unconsciously seek out what Williams knows is already there: the conflict between reality and illusion. We will look at the characters one by one, determining each of their realities and illusions. This will help establish why Williams chose this central theme and what the solution to these ideas is. Since Amanda plays such an important role in the play, we'll start with her. Amanda's life is very illusion. He understands this immediately when he begins to remember the south and its number... in the center of the card...rld of Tennessee Williams. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1965. Jolemore, Nancy. “Lesson notes and study guide questions for The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee William.” Old Dominion University. January 18, 2000. June 29, 2000. .Kolin, Philip C. Tennessee Williams: A Guide to Research and Performance. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1998.Presley, Delma E. An American Memory. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1990. Reser, Rob. "A touch of glass." June 29, 2000. .Roudane, Matthew C. The Cambridge Companion of Tennessee Williams. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997. Williams, Tennessee. "The Glass Menagerie." Bedford's introduction to literature. Ed. Michael Mayer. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin. 1999, pages.1865-1908.