... their own little world in order to escape reality. We see various examples of this with the Wingfield family in Tennessee Williams' theatrical masterpiece, "The Glass Menagerie." Amanda Wingfield is the mother of Tom and Laura. She is a "southern belle" whose glory days have long since faded away. She ... escaping the harsh reality of her failed marriage, crippled daughter, and distant son. Tom Wingfield is the son of Amanda and the brother of Laura. He has multiple means of escaping the restrictive reality of the Wingfield household. He is very much into literature and writing poetry. H...

• Word Count: 485
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... successful in his escape because he never has to deal with anything at home. He actually leaves and doesn't look back. As for the other four: Laura, Amanda, Tom, and Jim, they seem to be stuck throughout the play. Jim seems to be the only one with a real chance at breaking ... lives in a make-believe reality. In Amanda's mind she is still a girl receiving "gentlemen callers" (1270). Even when Laura is to receive a caller, Amanda gets more dressed up than Laura. Amanda even refuses to acknowledge that Laura is " crippled" (1275). She illustrates this point by saying " you"re not crippled, ...

• Word Count: 911
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... the "bee hive- apartments is the cause of her controlling attitude. Her dominating approach toward her children may in reality be the core of Laura's psychological disarray. Anyone who is sheltered in a minute space for an extensive period of time is susceptible to some unhealthy side effects. Because Amanda ... . Amanda's dreams of her past and being the middle of her small town's social scene persuade her to want the equivalent for her daughter. TOM: Laura is very different from other girls. AMANDA: I think the difference is to her advantage. TOM: Not quite all "in the eyes of others ....

• Word Count: 502
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School