Discuss the symbolism of the collection of glass animals.

The glass menagerie serves as a symbol, a symbol of the dreams held by all the characters; it reveals how precious they are, and how easily destroyed. These include Amanda's dreams for Laura and her own dreams about her past, Laura's dreams for love, the Gentleman Caller's dreams of a prosperous future, and Tom's dreams of freedom from the nagging restrictions on his physical and spiritual life imposed by both his mother and his work. The menagerie also relates to the symbol of the Gentleman Caller, in that both symbols represent aspects of hope.