As we seen so far in The Glass Menagerie, the family has become highly dependent upon Tom in the absence of their father. Due to the fact that they don't have any other male role model or provider, they look to Tom for support and to act as that role model. After a while of his mother and younger sister looking to him for money and support, he gets overwhelmed with the pressure. Tom starts going to the "movies" which he is actually going out to get drunk without his family knowing. He is planning on moving out, yet his family thinks of this as a selfish move. What do you think?
It would be a selfish move, the only way for it to be selfless would be if it somehow benefited the other party, Laura and Amanda. Although the actions concerning his "movie -going" could be selfless, if they are acting as an outlet for him and preventing any domestic violence from ensuing. However, in the case of leaving home, Tom would only be doing it for selfish reasons, not that selfishness is always an absolute inimical act.
ReplyDeleteIt is selfish on Tom's part, however as I have said before, everyone in the play is selfish. Their inability to function as a family stems from their own selfish motivations. They hardly ever consider the effects of their actions on others, until they are forced to. Tom hates the position he is in and would rather flee, than try and fix it. Similarly, both Amanda and Laura are unable to cope with the way things have changed, and they have forced their burdens on others to fix. Laura looks to Amanda to solve all her problems, while Amanda looks to Tom to provide for both Laura and her. They all play a part in their families implosion, since none of them make WILLING sacrifices for the family.
ReplyDeleteWell, considering a moral view, Tom is completely selfish. Otherwise, considering a personal view Tom is correct because he is doing what HE wants to do. Laura and Amanda are able to "work"(correct me if I'm wrong, which is never :) and there's no real need for Tom. Tom will only proved to keep Amanda relaxed from the idea of working. Overall, Tom is doing what he wants and everything happens for a reason, right?
ReplyDeleteI don't think he's selfish. Like Ali said, Amanda and Laura are capable of providing for themselves, though it would be difficult. I think Amanda is selfish for holding back her child and trying to do what she thinks is best for him without thinking about what he wants to do.
ReplyDeleteI believe Tom is selfish, because in his case, inaction is more damaging than action. His unwillingness to help his forlorn family is just as bad, if not worse, than intentionally hurting them. I believe this, because he gives hope to them, but his intent to leave turns that into false-hope, thus making his betrayal considerably more crushing.
DeleteI agree with Pamela.
ReplyDelete