In the “Glass Menagerie,” I found myself feeling pity towards Tom Wingfield. During the play you learn that he enjoyed reading and writing poetry. He would write poetry at his job at the warehouse which eventually led to his termination. From what little was told about Tom's education I knew that poetry was something he held close to his heart. His mother on the other hand was not fond nor supportive of his interest. Tom confronted his mother for taking his books, and this was her response, “I took that horrible novel back to the library-yes! That hideous book by the insane Mr. Lawrence. I cannot control the output of diseased minds or people who cater to them. BUT I WON'T ALLOW SUCH FIFTH BROUGHT INTO MY HOUSE!” (1005). Tom felt as though he had given everything he had to his mother and sister but got nothing for himself. He got up every morning and went to a warehouse job that he despised to support his family. He would have liked nothing more than to have been free like his estranged father. His nights were spent at the movies desperately seeking the adventure that he had seen on the screen. To me, Tom wanted to be free from his responsibilities to his family and do as he pleased. He knew that it was only a matter of time before he followed in his father's footsteps, which meant leaving his family behind. When Tom was fired from his warehouse job for writing poetry he embarked on his new journey away from his family. Tom never showed any type of love towards his family, but I knew that he truly cared about them. As the play came to an end I got the sense that he was very distraught about leaving Laura. “ Then all at once my sister touches my shoulder. I turn around and look into her eyes....Oh, Laura, Laura, I tried to leave you behind me, but I am more faithful than I intended to be!”(1048).
I really liked your response. I do agree with you when you said that Tom would go to the movies to seek adventure. I saw that as him leaving everything behind for those couple of hours he was at the movies, an esacape he desperately needed. I also used the quote and the end by Tom. Good response.
ReplyDeleteI really liked reading your view on Tom. It is similar to mine. I think you picked quotes that were key into seeing they way Tom truly felt and the way his mother felt about him and his poetry. You did a a great job in describing how Tom felt about his sisters and mother.
ReplyDeleteHey, Vanessa. I also enjoyed your view of Tom. How many times has this story repeated itself for many persons across the world? A man stuck at a job he despises but has no other choice because he needs to support his family. I feel Tom is bitter towards his father for indirectly leaving the "burden" of providing for the family on to him.
ReplyDeleteYes, Tom is a very loyal person even though he tries to act otherwise. In the end, it seems like he just couldn't bring himself to leave his family and walk in his father's footsteps. I truly admire him for this.
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