Underlying Themes in the Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

One of the most prominent themes in the Glass Menagerie is that of abandonment by their father. When the father left it had a dramatic effect on the family. Tom began planning his own escape, Amanda slowly began losing her mind and the whole family was thrown into financial dependence on one another. Tom and Laura's father had more of an impact on the family after he left than when he was living with them. This idea was apparent throughout the story.
The abandonment by the father had a major impact on Tom. …