Final answer:
At the end of The Glass Menagerie, Tom's request for Laura to blow out the candles symbolizes the end of illusions, while Laura's compliance signifies her confrontation with reality, encapsulating the play's themes of escapism and acceptance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ending of The Glass Menagerie is rich in symbolism. Tom's request for Laura to blow out her candles signifies his desire for her to extinguish her illusions and face reality, as he himself attempts to do by leaving the family. Laura's action in blowing out the candles represents the dimming of her own fragile world of fantasies and dreams, and possibly, her acceptance of the harshness of the real world that she must confront. Playwright Tennessee Williams often ended his plays with impactful scenes that asked the audience to consider their own perspectives, and the ending of The Glass Menagerie is a poignant example, as it challenges the audience to reflect on the nature of escape, responsibility, and the refusal to accept reality.