Blog #2

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

Behind Amanda's controlling and forceful ways, lies her intense motivation for her children to live more successful and fulfilling lives than her own. Although Amanda's life started out looking promising, with all her gentlemen callers and fancy clothing, she ended up marrying a man who left her behind and rather poor. It is only now, through her children, where she can fulfill her dreams of a glamorous lifestyle. She wishes for Laura to be charming and confident in order to attain a great man, but Laura is terribly shy and insecure. Amanda watches over Tom so he won't end up like his father, making comments about his drinking and his desires for adventure. I feel that Laura only puts down Tom's ambitions because she knows he is likely to leave if rounds up enough courage to follow them. Amanda needs Tom to make a living for the family, but she does give him hope when she tells him, " as soon as Laura has got somebody to take care of her, married, a home of her own, independent- why, then you'll be free to go wherever you please.(Williams, 1253). Ironically, when Tom does bring home a gentlemen caller for Laura, the gentleman and her hit it off quite nicely, but then the gentleman later reveals that he has a fiance. Once again Amanda is left empty handed, but somehow remains optimistic. Quite frankly, this woman is not likely to ever give up on pushing her children around until the ending result is to of her liking.