The End.

The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams

Tom takes center stage adressing the audience for the final time at the end of the play. He left the family much like his father to chase adventure, but one part of his story is different from his father's. Tom never seems to be able to escape Laura. As he lives his new life, he is constantly reminded her in one way or another. He especially thinks of her when seeing glass, which serves as an excellent example of motif. When he walks alone, he sees "the window is filled with pieces of colored glass...then all at once my sister touches my shoulder." (Williams 1289). Not only was the glass a symbol for Laura's confidence during the play, but the glass conjures up the thought of Laura within Tom whenever he sees her. It causes him to think of the past, possibly prompting this very memory play! He left his family because he wanted to leave the routine he was trapped in, but he could never escape his sister. His sister was the only one who ever wanted to look out for him, but didn't want to prevent him from making his own decisions. Because of her and her menagerie, Tom will always have Laura by his side.