The Glass Menagerie: The Average Mom

Though she has her selfish moments, Amanda seems like a typical mom. She loves her children more than anything, and wants the best for them (even though this also means the best for herself). For example, when she joins Tom out on the fire escape in Scene 5 and asks what he wished on the moon for, she shares her wish with him, "I'll tell you what I wished for on the moon. Success and happiness for my precious children! I wish for that whenever there's a moon, and when there isn't a moon, I wish for it, too." Amanda genuinely wants Laura to be successful in finding a husband so that she will live a secure life. She really wants Tom to be happy, and even is willing to give her blessing in his leaving to find adventure, as long as she and Laura are secure. This part of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams actually surprised me, when Amanda tells Tom, "I know what you're framing of. I'm not standing here blindfolded. Very well, then. Then do it!" I never though Amanda would be okay with Tom leaving, no matter how unhappy he was, because of what her husband did to the family. She shows just one aspect of her motherly instinct there. Amanda is also the average fussy, nagging mother. She is always fussing about trivial matters, like preparing he house before Laura's first gentleman caller, or with her constant worrying, "Where is your muffler? Put your wool muffler on!" With her nagging, which is obviously because she cares, Amanda reminds me a lot of my own mom.