Character AnalysisAmanda Wingfield"Glass Menagerie"
... Before Amanda Wingfield was married and had children, she was considered to be one of the most sought after girls around. In the play, she constantly repeats of her one true accomplishment when she had seventeen gentlemen callers in one day while she lived in Blue Mountain. Each time this story is brought up it conveys the fact that she is an insecure and self-centered woman. This is the wall keeping her from accomplishing other great things. She seeks too much comfort from this past accomplishment, which she really needs to let go of. One reason she probably holds on to this accomplishment is because she wants her children to be proud of their mother. Amanda needs to let go of the past and move on. Also, Amanda's personality reflects a domineering character. She is constantly making decisions for her two children. Her many ways of showing motherly love, often are too much for any person. During one part of the play she demands Tom to chew his food properly. This type of attachment to a particular individual results in many bitter arguments. This is Amanda's weakness. It is her weakness of not being able to let her children live their own lives. Finally, Amanda is constantly putting pressure on Laura to look her best because a gentleman caller could stop by at any moment. Her daughter however is shy and has no interest in any gentlemen callers. As Amanda realizes this, she begins to worry if Laura will ever have a husband. Amanda’s weakness is furthered by the fact that her son desires to leave home and join the marines. When this is mentioned her mind wanders back to t...