The Glass Menagerie 3

"The Glass Menagerie"
Tennessee Williams

Question three in the book is also important to the plot because Tom is the narrator and displays his own problems more explicitly than Amanda's or Laura's.  Tom's main dilemma is that he wants to leave the warehouse and have his own adventures, while he also feels familial responsibilities at home.  Amanda wants to make sure that her only son will not walk out on them like his father did because they would be left destitute financially and emotionally.  His sister is also "crippled" and needs someone to provide for and help her.  His constant desire to leave the warehouse life causes him to quarrel with his mother in nearly every memory present in the play.  On page 1237, the arguments begin with Amanda chiding Tom about his eating habits and his responding with "I haven't enjoyed one bite of this dinner because of your constant directions on how to eat it" (Williams).  This seemingly insignificant detail of their dining habits actually sets the scene for later, more important arguments because Amanda further insults Tom and desires his seeking betterment.  Tom's attitude towards Laura seems to be that he does not want to her be under his care.  He would rather leave but must stay and provide for her and their mother.  Tom finally leaves after he is fired from the warehouse for writing a poem on a shoebox--the perfect opportunity to get out.  I think that the dilemma was solved when he left, but he still has some regrets for leaving his mother and sister.  The play concludes with a scene of Laura, which provides that Tom feels guilty for abandoning her and his mother.