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

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