The Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams Characters Laura

The Glass Menagerie By: Tennessee Williams

Characters

Laura Wingfield Laura is very shy and self -conscious. Laura has a crippled leg, which might be the cause of her self-esteem issues. In the book, Laura was so nervous about taking a test at her business college, she got sick. Laura was never able to go back to the college.

Tom Wingfield Tom is a factory worker, and all he wants is more adventure in his life. Tom provides for his mother and sister, although he would rather be out exploring the world. To get away from his boring life, Tom goes to the movies every night.

Themes

Let People Make Their Own Choices Amanda, Laura and Tom’s mother, was always trying to make choices for her children. Amanda did more harm than good. For example, Amanda tries to set Laura up with a nice man. Unfortunately, just when Laura was starting to come out of her shell a bit things take a turn for the worst. The “Gentleman Caller” was actually married and only thought he was being invited over for dinner.

Fear of a Boring Life Tom always talked about how he wanted a more adventurous life. Amanda also feared that her children would have as uninteresting lives as her life turned out to be. Tom left his mother and sister to go have his own adventure, and was never able to go back to them.