Western Society has always favored extroverts over introverts, favored the man of action and character over the man of contemplation. Most schools and workplaces involve group work, the ideal student considered an extrovert rather than the "problem children" that are introverts. However, without introverts, society would not function as solitude is a key part of creativity. Grandin emphasizes "the link between intellectual giftedness and creativity to abnormality." In fact, she states, "Einstein himself had many autistic traits" proving the importance of these traits to discovering new intellectual concepts. However, to get to the discernment of self-importance, people like Laura and Grandin both must have a single thing that that they are so passionate about, and make "themselves so good at something that people will hire them." "Life would not be worth living if I did not have intellectually satisfying work.", Grandin remarks, grateful for the job that she loves. The people surrounding Laura and Grandin, such as their parents and mentors can greatly affect their path to success.
Although Laura doesn't talk much in the play, a symbol of her nonsociality, and is terribly delicate and dependant on Amanda and Tom, her introvertive character and her abnormality is exhibited through her family and their obsessive concern for her future. In a stressed discussion regarding Laura's future, Tom explains to Amanda ".in the eyes of others - strangers - she's terribly shy and lives in a world of her own"( pg.48). Amanda, concerned about Laura's future, desperately but unsuccessfully tries to find Laura a "gentleman caller", and even enrolls her in business school, not realizing the real obstacle to Laura's success. Amanda is afraid of Laura becoming an unemployed widow, dependant on her mom and brother for the rest of her life.