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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper considers the role of Amanda in Tennessee Williams' play The Glass Menagerie. This paper outlines the basic components of Amanda's role and the importance for the play as a whole. No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: MH11_MHGlasM2.doc
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
in defining the central conflicts in the story, as well as shaping a view of the elements that defined both Tom and Lauras socialization and the expectations that shaped their
childhood. As a result, Amanda becomes a pivotal character in the play and she provides both the past reflections and views of the present that underscore Toms struggles and
Lauras detracted sense of self. The story itself is based around the reflections of Tom, many of which relate the views of his mother and Amandas constant reflections of the
past. Like Tom, Amanda assesses and reassesses the elements of the past, of her own memories, and constantly applies them to her experiences and her views of her family.
While Tom struggles with his own sense of self and reflects on memories of his family to support decisions to leave them for the merchant marine, Amanda is unable
to leave the past and exist in the present, just as Laura is unable to leave her self-created world in order to become a part of a family of her
own. Amanda, then, becomes the director of many of the actions of the play and is also a character that insights specific responses from Tom. Toms views of Amanda
shift constantly, and she appears sometimes pitiable, sometimes conniving, sometimes difficult to escape. Descriptions of Tom and his relationship to his family underscore this view of Amanda: "His
nature is not remorseless, but to escape from a trap he has to act without pity" (Williams 5). When Tom and Amanda fight over Toms responsibilities to the family,
for example, Tom argues: "For sixty-five dollars a month I give up all that I dream of doing and being ever" (Williams 41). Amanda finds her son
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