Maria Blanchette -Defense of Amanda Wingfeild- 6B-8 September 2014

Mother Amanda, while she may be a paradox at times, her ultimate character is benevolent. Affected from the betrayal in her past, she carries and pushes her hurt in to the present; often heaving her hurt on the shoulders of those she loves most, her children.

One can not help but wonder the complexities behind the eyes of Amanda Wingfeild for her daughter. She goes from lambasting Laura, what are we going to do the rest of our lives? ...Amuse ourselves with the glass menagerie, darling? to, Laura, I've told you never, never to use that word. Why, you're not crippled Amanda goes from an irate mother to a cooing coddler. She is only reinforces her unconventional love for her daughter in the way she as a mother knows best. Amanda and Laura are two of a kind, Where Laura is a shy young maiden, and Amanda is a boisterously aged (and abandoned) wife. But the paradox is the common ground between the two, while their relationship seems one misdemeanour away from crumbling in; their ground is strengthened by the others weaknesses.

Tom is cast in the shadow of his father in Amandas eyes. She keeps him under constant scrutiny, trying to control his every move. What she does not realize; her effort to keep Tom close and in her loving control is exactly what pushes him farther and farther from her. Take for example this excerpt, which was stated during a heated quarrel between the two, if self is what I thought of, Mother, I'd be where [Dad] is -G 0 N E ! Don't grab at me, Mother! We can feel Amandas hopelessness in expressing her love-by grabbing on to her son. She speaks, but not in words Tom understands.

Amandas paradoxical love for her family makes her someone whom we can neither smile upon, nor frown upon. To Mr. Williams, we salute you.