In The Glass Menagerie, what is the symbolism and significance of the photograph of the father?

I have always thought that the photograph of the father
was actually the physical manifestation of Amanda's concern for appearance as well as
her detached perception of reality. In addition, the picture is proudly displayed not
only in an apartment that is run down, but of the man responsible for Amanda's, Tom's,
and Laura's sad existences. In other words, no matter how hard Amanda talks about her
past, or how many movies Tom attends, or Laura's escape into her glass collection their
truth is always present.   For example, Amanda carries on about all of her 'gentlemen
callers' as a young girl, but marries a man who who abandoned her and her children.  Tom
is expected to financially provide for the family that belongs to his father which
frustrates him to no end, and Laura is incapable of having any sort of romantic
relationship. For me, the picture is symbolic of their truth...it's the essence of their
reality.