Dramatic Question in The Glass Menagerie

In Tennessee Williams play The Glass Menagerie the narrator Tom Wingfield (Sam Watterson) is the protagonist. Although Tom's interest are in literature and poetry he supports his mother and sister at a mediocre warehouse job and spends much of his time dreaming of adventure and a life outside of the dank and dismal apartment he shares with Laura (his crippled sister) and Amanda (his mother). Throughout the play Tom is struggling with the decision to join the Merchant Marines and embark on an adventure that does not include his mother or his sister. He is tormented by guilt for considering leaving his disabled sister Laura behind and alone with their overbearing mother Amanda (Katherine Hepburn). Tom’s guilt and regret is evident from the beginning of the play when he hears his sisters voice softly calling his name.

Tom and Laura's father had left the family years ago and Tom fears that he is becoming just like his father because he is also going to leave. Amanda is constantly criticizing and nagging her two adult children Laura and Tom. Amanda nags Tom about his eating habits “Chew, Chew, chew…we are not animals…” about how he sits “Sit up straight…” and she censors what he reads by confiscating his books and returning them to the library “that insane Mr. Lawrence and his filth..” This characteristic definitely makes her the antagonist. Amanda suggests to Tom that his frequent trips to the movies are not at all as wholesome as he would like everyone to believe. She accuses Tom of doing things that are causing him shame. Tom tries to explain to Amanda that his frequent trips to the movies provide him with the adventure that he lacks in real life. Amanda harasses Tom about being restless and sullen and begrudges him the only source of pleasure he has like drinking and going to the movie theatre. Amanda implies that he is selfish because he is only concerned for his own happiness and wants to leave the family “Selfish dreamer….” Amanda has seen and read