As I was reading there was one major conflict that affects all
the characters in the story, and that is their mother Amanda. From Amanda
perspective it seems as though since she’s a single mother, and the way she was
brought up she has to be way harder on her two kids. Laura and Tom seem to bare
with their mothers obsessive ways like Amanda telling Tom how he should chew
his food “Eat food leisurely, son and really enjoy it” (page6). Both of her
kids are grown so for their mother to keep thrusting different demands on them
can only lead to a more dysfunctional family. Amanda’s actions causes for her
kids to be very separate from her. Just like in today’s society parents are
always on their kids about different things. Telling us how to dress, speak,
eat, when to go out, and who they feel you being comfortable around. They all
say “were doing what’s best for you and your future”. In Laura and Tom’s case
is it a time to stop and let your kids take flight. A major conflict that is unfolding
is the “gentlemen caller”. Amanda wanting Laura to follow in her footsteps with
finding a gentlemen caller; is it going to be for the better or worse? This
kind of behavior shows that Amanda doesn’t take no for an answer. She is fully
aware that her daughter is nothing like she used to be on Blue Mountain “she’s
terribly shy and lives in a world of her own” (page47). It’s not only going to stir
up mother daughter trouble, but also for Tom.
Amanda pushes his buttons to the limit and even puts him in a corner
with telling a co worker about dinner, but not the full extent of why he’s
truly there. Tom is truly a hard working man, and tries to please his mom the
best way he can, but how much can he handle. Laura is kind of in the shadows
during this conflict, and has no clue what’s being in store for her. If things
do or don’t go well; will her perspectives change?
In the picture you can see the dysfunctional family going at each other in an argument. Tom arguing with Amanda and poor shy Laura not knowing what to do.
Characterization
Laura in The Glass Menagerie speaks the least in the play
but has an important role. Her character
is surrounded by the plots and the symbols of the play glass menagerie. The
glass menagerie she collects and the blue rose she has represents a part of
her. Just like Amanda speaks about the Jonquils in the first three scenes. Blue Roses comes from the nickname her crush Jim
gave because of her mysterious ways that was only meant for her. Explaining
that a blue rose is rare and unique. She shares the same conflict as the glass
menagerie which is beautiful, but yet very fragile. She could break at any
sense of reality just like glass could break at any moment. When Jim comes into
her life unexpectedly and opens up to him more than Tom or Amanda. Unlike Amanda who tries to form her into what
she was when she was younger Laura ends up being herself and Jim respects her
for that. Laura is what brings a piece of relief between the arguments Amanda
and Tom have on a daily. Laura is the only thing that brings Tom happiness in
that house with Amanda constant demands. When he finally decides to leave he
even realizes how much he cares for his sister “I tried to leave you behind,
but I am more faithful than I intend to be”. I feel as though she changes the
perspective of Tom, Amanda, and Jim when she starts to be herself instead of
her mother’s image.
The way that Jim looks at Laura when she doesn't notice
Most parents tell their children how act a certain way when you are younger, but when you reach a certain age they know that they can no longer hold you back from who you truely are and that is you. Your parents make the biggest step in their parent hood by letting you becoming you and making the right decisions for you. In Amandas case she is still holding on to her childrens decisions and how they act. Amanda wants her daughter to marry a man to take care of her. She wants Tom to becomae a gentalmen and take care of the family so they wont starve, I most definitely agree with you Jadeah, Amanda is to controlling in her kids lives, yet she loves them and wants whats best for them.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your statement on how Amanda's constant demanding and controlling behaviors is only seperating herself from her children. This is evident throughout the play because Tom is always hanging out on the fire escape; wanting to be freed from his burdens at home and his mothers controlling grasp, yet not willing to let his family suffer without him. Despite Amanda only wanting the best for her children, she is completely ignorant to what they want for their own lives. She doesnt care that Laura is the exact opposite of her; very shy, timid and mostly keeps to herself while Tom craves adventure and leaving the warehouse. I believe you can conclude that Amanda is trying to live her life vicariously through her children because she is pushing her past on Laura when it comes to the whole gentleman caller issue and is directing Tom on how to work, chew, spend his leisure time, etc. I also like the picture you chose to post because its an exact representation of what I picture while reading the different scenes where Tom and Amanda argue and Laura is left in the aftermath.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your statement on how Amanda's constant demanding and controlling behaviors is only seperating herself from her children. This is evident throughout the play because Tom is always hanging out on the fire escape; wanting to be freed from his burdens at home and his mothers controlling grasp, yet not willing to let his family suffer without him. Despite Amanda only wanting the best for her children, she is completely ignorant to what they want for their own lives. She doesnt care that Laura is the exact opposite of her; very shy, timid and mostly keeps to herself while Tom craves adventure and leaving the warehouse. I believe you can conclude that Amanda is trying to live her life vicariously through her children because she is pushing her past on Laura when it comes to the whole gentleman caller issue and is directing Tom on how to work, chew, spend his leisure time, etc. I also like the picture you chose to post because its an exact representation of what I picture while reading the different scenes where Tom and Amanda argue and Laura is left in the aftermath.
ReplyDeleteEven to this very day many parents do that to their children. Sometimes it creates a broken home, and hopefully Amanda realizes the pressure she puts on her kids each and everyday. I feel like sooner or later Laura is going to have to stick up for herself when her mom tries to control her. The controlling behavior will never end if they don't really stick up for themselves.They are grown kids it will be a time will they'll snap.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Amanda is the epitome of a demanding parent. It seems just from the 1st scene that she is that parent who forces her children, and puts way too much pressure on them to be what she expects them to be not what they want to be.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious as to whether or not Amanda's controlling demeanor and never satisfied attitude is what ultimately pushed her husband away in the first place. Even though Tom never wanted to abandon his family just like his father, his mother's pressure, dissatisfaction, and constant direction and nagging of his life ultimately pushed him over the edge. He couldn't take it anymore and frankly I don't blame him. I could never stay in a place where ever move or decision I made was criticized. I don't believe Tom wanted to abandon his mother altogether, but his crave for adventure and to escape his toxic lifestyle at home ultimately made that decision for him.
ReplyDelete