The Glass Menagerie

Drama | Tennessee Williams

Describe the conflict between Tom and Amanda In “The Glass Menagerie”

Premium

Describe the conflict between Tom and Amanda The conflict between Tom and Amanda in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams is the heart of the play It comes from their different dreams and temperaments Amanda lives in the past while Tom wants freedom in the present Amanda s Dreams and Control Amanda Wingfield is a mother who loves her children deeply But her love becomes control She often talks about her youth and seventeen gentlemen callers She dreams of comfort and social success for her children Amanda says I m not thinking of just you but of my hopes and ambitions for you This shows her desire to shape Tom s life She wants him to be responsible and support the family after his father s desertion However Amanda cannot understand Tom s creative spirit She tries to force him to live by her rules Her constant scolding about his

habits job and friends creates endless tension Tom s Desire for Freedom Tom Wingfield wants to escape his dull warehouse job and his mother s control He dreams of adventure and a writer s life But Amanda s demands keep him trapped at home He says in Scene I m tired of the movies and I am about to move This line shows his frustration and desire to break free Tom also says Man is by instinct a lover a hunter a fighter This proves his longing for independence and self-expression He feels life slipping away inside the small apartment Climax of Their Conflict The conflict grows when Amanda accuses Tom of selfishness and irresponsibility Their arguments become louder more painful and destructive Tom finally leaves home to hunt his dreams Yet his escape brings guilt not peace In the end he remembers Laura with deep sorrow In short the conflict between Tom and Amanda shows love turned into a struggle Amanda s care becomes control and Tom s freedom brings guilt Their clash shows that love can both guard and imprison those who care deeply

Continue Reading

Sign in and subscribe to unlock the full content