Character Analysis Of Tom Wingfield In The Glass Menagerie

During one’s life journey, here on earth, one is forced to live and deal with their internal and external conflicts. Such conflicts forces one to live a dismal lifestyle, until one gets the opportunity to free themselves from such lifestyle. In The Glass Menagerie, Williams portrays the protagonist Tom Wingfield as a miserable human being who lives life for the sake of living. Throughout the course of this paper, readers will get the opportunity to learn that Tom’s sister, Laura Wingfield and his mother, Amanda Wingfield help him escape from his dejected life; therefore, Tom is free—both physically and mentally. Tom’s freedom will now allow him to chase after his dream, which is to live an adventurous life and to write poetry—live his life

freely. Human beings must realize that tomorrow is never promised; thus, one must live life to the fullest.
Life is the greatest gift of all; it allows one to chase after their long-life dreams. Eminem once said, “The truth is you don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed.” Life is definitely unpredictable. These past couple of weeks has forced me to view life under a different perspective—to think positively and enjoy life to its fullest. For instance, I went from mourning the death of friend, coming out to the world—I am gay, falling in love with someone that I should be falling in love with to siting at my mother’s bedside at the hospital, hoping that she never ends up here again. Today, I am stronger than ever, I am free. On November 9, 2015, a close friend passed away in a tragic car accident on the NJ Turnpike. Christopher Lewis Calderone’s life was cut too short—he was only twenty-years-old. As time progresses, it still does not make sense to me, perhaps it never will; yet, I know that he is in a better place now. Christopher Lewis Calderone once said, “I want to be one to change things, open up people's eyes for the better, and guide them.” Today, I can honestly say that Chris has opened up my eyes for the better and has guided me—he will forever do so. In The Glass Menagerie, readers learn that Tom Wingfield is forced to live a miserable lifestyle—he is the household financial provider. Every morning Tom is forced to wake up early to go to work and provide for his family—this is an internal conflict. Such conflict is occurring within Tom’s mind. He is unable to free himself. His family’s financial situation does not allow him to do so: “AMANDA: What right have you got to jeopardize your job - jeopardize the security of us all? How do you think we'd manage if you were - …” (The Glass Menagerie). The readers are able to argue that a mother’s job is to support her children, open their eyes, and guide them. Forcing their child to live a dejected lifestyle is not part of their job; therefore, it can be concluded that Tom does have the right to jeopardize his job and go after his dream of living life freely. Readers can claim that Tom is aware that abandoning his family is morally wrong, especially since his family is in need of his assistance. How can one continue to live such lifestyle? For instance, my household is currently undergoing a financial crisis. My mother and I are currently struggling to make ends meet at the end of each month. Which is why often times I tell certain individuals the following: You may know my name, but you do not know my story. How could I abandon my mother and sister? They are in need of my assistance. How could I sleep at night knowing that I abandoned them? Over the last two weeks, I had the tendency to sit in Regina’s room, a close friend and complain about my daily life; however, after attending Chris’s wake. I got the opportunity to realize that in life everyone truly has a purpose. Chris’s purpose was to make his make music and make his family and friends laugh—let us not forget that impact he has left in life. Today, I am aware that my purpose to become an educator and provide a better life for my beloved mother and family; therefore, the readers are able to claim that Tom’s purpose is to live his life freely, despite knowing that his family is need of his assistance, this would put an end to his internal conflict. In life, one should not allow their internal conflicts control their mind, especially since it can cause one to question the true meaning of life; for example, after reading the play, the readers can argue that Tom’s family is preventing him from living his life. Tom’s is being held captive—physically and mentally. Is Tom’s purpose to run away from his family and live his life freely? Is Tom’s purpose to do both, to live his life freely and to support his family?
After reading The Glass Menagerie, the readers learn that Tom faces two external conflicts—Son vs.

Mother and Brother vs. Sister. In life, facing external conflicts is difficult, especially when one is unable to find a solution to such conflicts; for example, after reading the play, the readers are able to visualize in their minds Tom and his mother, Amanda arguing on a daily basis. Mothers have the tendency to ask their children a series of questions, especially as they get older—I can attest to this. A mother’s heart is like no other. Which is why often times, mothers tend to prevent their children from living their life freely: “AMANDA: I think you've been doing things that you're ashamed of. That's why you act like this. I don't believe that you go every night to the movies.” (The Glass Menagerie). Amanda needs to realize that Tom “goes to the movies every night,” mainly because gives him a little freedom. Such freedom gives Tom hope that one day he will be able to live his life freely; nonetheless, the readers can claim that Tom’s nightly trips will eventually force him to run away, freedom is calling him. As one reads The Glass Menagerie, one learns that a Brother vs. Sister external conflict exists; for example, Laura Wingfield is portrayed as a weak-minded young woman who does not the capacity to live life her own—she requires special assistance. Readers can claim that Tom Wingfield cares about his sister. Tom wants the best for his sister; therefore, the readers can conclude that this Brother vs. Sister external conflict is preventing Tom from living his life freely. Laura Wingfield lives in a fictional world. In Laura’s world, reality does not exist; therefore, the readers can claim that Laura has the physical features of a young woman. Her mind is not fully developed—it is a fictitious mind. External conflicts can affect one’s life greatly—I can attest to this. Over the last couple of weeks, I have decided to create a fictional world myself. A world

that is currently allowing me to escape from my current life issues and questions, well somewhat, not completely. In life, one must be aware that they are not able to run away from life and its challenges; therefore, one day Laura and I must wake up and realize that is meant to be difficult. If we remain in living in a fictional world, we will be required to face double the challenges:
LAURA: I went in the art museum and the bird-houses at the Zoo. I visited the penguins every day! Sometimes I did without lunch and went to the movies. Lately I've been spending most of my afternoons in the jewel-box, that big glass-house where they raise the tropical flowers. (The Glass Menagerie).
At the end of the play, the readers learn that Tom Wingfield finally gets the opportunity to live his life freely. Tom runs away from home, without looking back. Laura and Amanda put a to Tom’s internal and external conflicts. After reading the play, the readers are able to argue that Tom decided to wake up and realize that he has to live his life the way he wants to. In life, human beings must be aware that they learn from one another. Even though Laura and Amanda forced Tom to live a dismal lifestyle, eventually they helped him realize that he is charge of life. Life is the greatest gift of all, especially since it gives one the opportunity to live their life the way they want. Two months ago, I had a plan to live an “ordinary life,” to marry a woman and have children—a life that society accepts; however, after Chris’s death, my eyes opened and began to view life under a different perspective. Today, I am finally free! I have the opportunity to live my life the I want to live it; therefore, ten-to-fifteen years from now, I see myself as a well-loved and successful educator, friend, father, and husband. Who will be providing his beloved mother the lifestyle that she deserves, making his friends laugh more than ever and living with his Gatsby, the man of his dreams. In life, one should not regret; instead, they should live their life to the fullest—do not look back. Tom left Saint Louis without looking back; he chose to live his life. Chris do not look back, he lived his life to the fullest. By doing what he loved the most, which was to make music to make his family and friends laugh. Why should you not live your life to the fullest?:
TOM: I didn't go to the moon, I went much further - for time is the longest distance between places. Not long after that I was fired for writing a poem on the lid of a shoebox.
I left Saint Louis. I descended the step of this fire-escape for a last time and followed, from then on, in my father's footsteps, attempting to find in motion what was lost in space - I travelled around a great deal. ().
In conclusion, escaping from one’s dismal lifestyle, specifically finding a solution to one’s internal and external conflicts is crucial—it allows one to live freely. In The Glass Menagerie, readers learn that Laura Wingfield and Amanda Wingfield helped Tom Wingfield escape from his miserable lifestyle. This allowed him to live his life freely, by chasing after his dream of living an adventurous life and to write poetry. Life may be the greatest of all; however, it is also the most mysterious gift of all, especially since tomorrow is never promised. Today, Tom Wingfield does not look back nor does he regret leaving Saint Louis. Tom is living his life to the fullest. In life, we meet different individuals every day. Individuals who go on to leave an impact in your life, individuals like Laura and Amanda. A year ago, I met Christopher Lewis Calderone. A sweet, funny, caring, and loving young man; who has changed my life forever. Chris opened my eyes, allowing me to realize that I should be living my life to its fullest. Today, I am grateful that he left an impact in my life. One day, once my life journey here on earth ends; I will get the opportunity to see him once again and thank for opening my eyes and guiding me.