In Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, (rpt. in Greg Johnson and Thomas R. Arp, Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense, 12th ed. [Boston: Wadsworth, 2015] 1136-1185) each individual character thrives to make their fantasy reality. The story takes place around the same time frame as The Great Depression making the Wingfield’s dreams almost impossible to come true. Amanda, Laura, and Tom Wingfield are defiantly different, however the family all share the aspiration of a fantasy life and the disheartening reality in which they live. Throughout the play, Williams carefully illustrates each individual characters’ fantasy world along with their misfortune of reality. Amanda manages to fantasize amongst her past wishing she can somehow relive her younger days. She tells her children endless stories about her experiences with gentlemen callers, for example, “One Sunday afternoon in Blue Mountain - your mother received - seventeen! - gentlemen callers! Why, sometimes there weren 't enough chairs to accommodate them all.” (1140) She seems as if she is bragging and boasting while reminiscing of her memories. In reality, Amanda tends to vicariously live through the life of her daughter, Laura, as seen when she continuously speaks of gentlemen callers for Laura, "No, dear, you go in front and study your typewriter chart. Or practice your shorthand a little. Stay fresh and pretty! - It 's almost time for our gentlemen callers to start arriving.” (1141) By Amanda saying “our gentlemen callers” implies the fact the gentlemen callers are not just for Laura, but Amanda herself as well. She hopes Laura and herself will soon be taken care of by a man Laura hopefully marries one day. Laura lives in a fantasy world revolving around
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She spends an abundant amount of time with her ornaments, as she explains to Jim, “I don’t do anything—much. Oh please don’t think I sit around and do nothing! My glass collection takes up a good deal of time. Glass is something you have to take good care of.” (1176) As she admires her collection of glass menagerie she departures from her actual surroundings. As for Laura’s reality, she is just as unique and delicate as her glass menagerie. Unfortunately, Laura suffers from a crippling disease, making her self-conscious throughout her life. Amanda enrolled her into Business College then later learns from the professor Laura has not attended class explaining, “The first time we gave a speed test, she broke down completely – was sick at the stomach and almost had to be carried into the wash room! After that morning she never showed up anymore. We phoned the house but never got any answer." (1143) Laura is an introverted, shy girl and does not deal well with pressure nor the surrounding of others. As attention is being focused on Laura, she feels a panic and becomes anxious and nervous due to the insecurities she has pertaining to her …show more content…
Amanda fantasizes about her past, but aggressively wishes that Laura follows her footsteps. Laura disappears into a world with her glass menagerie, but suffers from her insecurities relating to her disability. Tom loses himself while watching movies aspiring to have actual adventures of his own, but he feels entrapped and obligated to support his family. The Wingfield family portrays to be ambitious concerning their fantasies, however reality of their lives leaves them discouraged. Williams remarkably expresses the aspect of the improbability of true
She spends an abundant amount of time with her ornaments, as she explains to Jim, “I don’t do anything—much. Oh please don’t think I sit around and do nothing! My glass collection takes up a good deal of time. Glass is something you have to take good care of.” (1176) As she admires her collection of glass menagerie she departures from her actual surroundings. As for Laura’s reality, she is just as unique and delicate as her glass menagerie. Unfortunately, Laura suffers from a crippling disease, making her self-conscious throughout her life. Amanda enrolled her into Business College then later learns from the professor Laura has not attended class explaining, “The first time we gave a speed test, she broke down completely – was sick at the stomach and almost had to be carried into the wash room! After that morning she never showed up anymore. We phoned the house but never got any answer." (1143) Laura is an introverted, shy girl and does not deal well with pressure nor the surrounding of others. As attention is being focused on Laura, she feels a panic and becomes anxious and nervous due to the insecurities she has pertaining to her …show more content…
Amanda fantasizes about her past, but aggressively wishes that Laura follows her footsteps. Laura disappears into a world with her glass menagerie, but suffers from her insecurities relating to her disability. Tom loses himself while watching movies aspiring to have actual adventures of his own, but he feels entrapped and obligated to support his family. The Wingfield family portrays to be ambitious concerning their fantasies, however reality of their lives leaves them discouraged. Williams remarkably expresses the aspect of the improbability of true