In class we had to get into peer review groups and discuss our papers we were suppose to write over the break....nah man !!! Didn't happen...we was too (the picture below in black/gold) . But anyways I decided what I was gonna write my paper about...Its gonna be a in-depth character analysis of Laura Wingfield. She's a shy lonely female wanting to feel love.... I can relate to Laura because I was that lonely girl in junior high/ high school looking for someone to come along and make me their priority. It wasn't until i was in my senior year of high I gained that confidence to find my own "Romeo". After graduation I was determined to just be myself and let it happen in it's own. And that's when I met M.B.K (former boyfriend of ~8 months now)
While in high school, the simple misunderstanding of “pleurosis” for “blue roses” by Jim has a lasting effect on Laura (Williams, Glass 1844). Laura comes to treasure this moment and name because it represents one of the few times Laura speaks to her hero, Jim. However, this mishap actually gives insight to Laura’s personality. The name “Laura” is derived from the laurel shrub or tree from which wreaths used to be made to honor heroes and athletes (Cardullo 1). Laura is far from athletic or a hero; but the reader can see how Laura’s name reflects her connection with nature and how she parallels blue roses.
The symbol of blue roses allows the reader to follow Laura as she goes from being a bud to blooming and closing up again. Roses are extremely delicate flowers and require immense care. Therefore, blue roses are even more delicate because they are not of this world. Laura is like a rose because she is just as fragile and needs a lot of care and nurturing. For example, Laura easily becomes “sick” when she learns that Jim is going to visit her house (Williams, Glass 1839). Both Amanda and Tom have to tend to Laura so she will not become too upset and faint or wither like a flower.
When Jim arrives, Laura starts to bloom out of her shyness. Jim is able to persuade Laura to do things she would never do (Williams, Glass 1849). Laura’s petals begin to open revealing what is truly inside of her because she willingly accepts part of the outside world into her own (1849). However, as soon as Laura faces the real world, she is hit with an unpleasant element, like if a flower receives too much sunshine. Jim admits that he is engaged and crushes Laura to the point that she retreats back to the security her imaginary world, “Why, Laura! You look so serious!” (1851). By the time Amanda says this; Laura has already closed herself off from reality (King 1870). Unfortunately, Laura never has the chance to fully develop because Jim takes away the needed tenderness and sunshine Laura needs to bloom (Boxill 1868). Laura comes to realize that her need for love, someone to make her feel secure and build up her confidence, will never be satisfied (Prykop 2).
Although Laura is a quiet character, she is extremely complex. Therefore, symbols such as blue roses and the glass unicorn are needed to understand the development of her character during the play. Laura lacks what it takes to make it in the real world because everything she possesses is only suitable for her imaginary world. Just as a flower grows and develops, so does Laura. Ultimately, Laura has to face the harshness of the real world and live up to her doomed fate. The fragility and translucence of the unicorn portrays multiple aspects of Laura, as do the blue roses. Laura’s connection to these objects is profound. And when hope is lost for these objects, hope is also lost for Laura.
