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The glass menagerie characters essay
The glass menagerie characterization
The glass menagerie characters essay
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Use of Escape Mechanisms in The Glass Menagerie In The Glass Menagerie none of the characters is capable of living entirely in the present. All retreat into their separate worlds to escape the brutality of life. Laura, Tom, Amanda, and, even, Jim, use various escape mechanisms to avoid reality. Laura has developed the escape mechanism of illness when an event or situation seems to threaten her . She also created an elaborate world in her collection of delicate glass animals, a world into which she can withdraw safely. Tom, faced with the bleak aspects of his day-today factory job and by the unpleasant prospect of returning home very night to a family who cannot understand his needs, retreats into movie houses and into his dream of joining the merchant marines and some day becoming a published writer. Amanda lives in a world based largely on her imagined past. Elaborate additions may have been made to those memories of her younger years, but they serve to hide from her the reality of a lost husband and two equally lost children. Jim, though not as noticeably withdrawn from reality as the others, can also be found retreating by his undying hope that things have to get better. His zeal to succeed, though very different in nature from the others' attitudes, is nevertheless an escape mechanism that shields him from the blandness of his life.
In The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, the glass menagerie is a clear and powerful metaphor for each of the four characters, Tom, Laura, Amanda, and the Gentleman Caller. It represents their lives, personality, emotions, and other important characteristics.
August 5, 1945. A day that the entire world will remember, as it was the day that the first of two nuclear strikes against Japan ended World War Two. Although at the time “Fat Man” and “Little Boy” were the lesser of two evils, they started an arms race like the world has never seen. The Soviet Union, America, Great Britain, France, and later China, all started to produce nuclear weapons. The arsenals of these countries would soon number in the tens of thousands. Recently there have been pushes to rid the world of these weapons that can kill an entire city with a single push of a button. Although these weapons are in the eyes of several governments a necessary tool to have, the public, however, disagrees. The Americans in particular have been debating the issue for several years. But for America to still pose a threat to other countries, the nuclear arsenal of the United States of America should not be completely depleted but upgraded and decreased to where our enemies still fear us. But we have to make sure that we do not break the bank in the process.
The United States has come to be known as a major world superpower throughout history. One of the main parts of America that has contributed to its renowned strength has been its economy. The United State’s economy has been growing ever since it began. Credit for its strength and progress in development can be attributed to the financial geniuses of their time. John D. Rockefeller became an economical giant during his time when he changed the face of business by developing ground-breaking new strategies to ensure financial success. Rockefeller dramatically changed the business field during The Gilded Age. He did so through the use of his social Darwinistic philosophy of capitalism, inclusion of vertical and horizontal integration, combination of both his business views and religious beliefs, his Standard Oil Company along with specific refinery processes. He founded the Standard Oil Company, one of the first types of businesses during its time. Although this company helped Rockefeller become known for his successful and competitive strategies, he did develop these strategies by himself with the use of his own beliefs and views.
Like it’s stated in the book many Quakers refused to say “hail Hitler” resulting in their capturing by the Nazis and being imprisoned for their actions. The Quakes were so devoted to their ways that they believe it was more important to stick up for them than it was to get captured and sent to prison by the Nazis. This should show you how amazing these men and women were because they helped so many people and continued following and practicing their beliefs in the midst of this harsh time. Quakers often went beyond the line of duty and even went to war to help people, and their jobs didn’t stop even at the end of the
Rockefeller was born in New York in 1839. In 1853, he and his family moved to Cleveland where he would attend high school, but more importantly do business. He developed a love of arithmetic and regularly attended his local Baptist Church. After taking some business courses in college, Hewitt and Tuttle hired Rockefeller as a bookkeeper. Shortly after, Rockefeller formed a partnership with another young businessman, Maurice Clark, and together joined the oil industry as refiners. The partnership grew in size and eventually Rockefeller bought out Clark’s portion for $72,000. He then brought his brother, who had also built a refinery, into the partnership. This made their firm the largest oil refinery in the world and marked the beginnings of Standard Oil.
Nuclear weapons continue to present a real threat to humanity and other life on Earth. Scholars of international relations and policymakers share in the belief that the sheer power and destructiveness of nuclear weapons prevent them from being used by friends and foes alike. Then the real question becomes; what is the need for nuclear weapons? Nuclear weapons are defined as, volatile device that originates its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release massive amounts of energy from fairly small amounts of matter. Nuclear weapons have greatly changed the way war is fought. Along with these more dominant weapons come ways to control and countermeasure such power. Nuclear weapons have changed the way the world thinks about war. The development of nuclear weapons started rather innocently as a physical wonder but has become a basis of constant fear among many nations.
Having lost her husband and being left alone to raise her two children Tom and Laura, Amanda finds herself in a very undesirable situation. This situation is only made worse through Amanda's disappointment in her children, whom she considers lost. She believes her son to be unrealistic, as he is constantly dreaming about becoming a respected poet rather than committing to a steady job. As a result, Amanda is very confused and uncertain about her and her children's future. Worse still, the fact that Laura is crippled, which she refuses to acknowledge however, worries her even more, insofar as she tries to arrange everything for her lest she will live paralyzed in the threatening world. Aware of the reality, she enrolls her in a secretarial course in the hope that she would become, if not successful in her career, at least independent in making ends meet. Disappointed by Laura's inability to cope with the studies in the business school, Amanda cannot but desperately find her a reliable husband who can provide material and emotional...
Amanda was a woman who typically refuses to face reality that resulted in a lot of disappointments and frustrations. Looking back to the past with regrets only prevented her from moving on. She could have used her past experiences and learned from it. Although she is caring and loving, she should not have sacrificed the happiness of her children for her own selfish desires. Her fears had made her life and the lives of her children miserable. Had she learned to be patient, strong and accepting of what life has brought, she and her family could have had a more fulfilling life.
Throughout The Glass Menagerie Laura is presented as an extremely shy and sensitive person. This play also describes her personal fears, hopes, and dreams. Her shyness is emphasized even more by being contrasted with her mother Amanda's forceful and almost brutal nature and actions towards Laura.We clearly are made aware almost immediately of Laura's overly sensitive nature. Laura can be characterized by her loneliness, sensitivity, trapped feelings, and outcast.
...r their general confidence in working for the kingdom of God in the world. Members speak in prayer or testimony as the inward light moves them. After an hour the meeting ends with the members shaking hands. In government as well as worship the Quakers rely on the guidance of the inner light working through the individual and bringing the whole group to a consensus. Congregations generally hold a meeting for business every month. In the 19th century Quakers in the United States founded a number of colleges and universities with an emphasis on science. Because Friends were trusted and extended credit, they became active in banking and insurance. Quakers are also active in welfare work and social reform. The American Friends Service Committee, founded during World War I, organizes relief and service projects not only in the United States but also throughout the world.
A strong note emphasised throughout the novel is Jim's detachment. During the establishment of his relationship with Ashley, and his decision to join the war, 'Jim existed in a world of his own, not withdrawn exactly, but impenetrably private'. Ever the lone wolf, Jim keeps the events in his life at arm's length, remaining distant and observing his world in his own unique way. The retiring, introspective Jim notes he has no close friends, though calling Clancy a 'mate'. Even the horrors of war fail to make Jim see the world as others do. He admits his naivety, confessing that'he had been living, till he came here, in a state of dangerous innocence'. Jim acknowledges how his new experiences have indeed opened his eyes to the real world, but as yet he has not reached his ev...
Throughout the novel, Jim internally aspires toward the significant and frequently occurring image, courage. From the very beginning he sees "himself saving people from sinking ships . . . an example of devotion to duty, and as unflinching as a hero in a book" (3).
Nevertheless, the internal struggle within Tom becomes apparent as he begins to resort to drinking in order to cope with his toxic relationship with his mother and his hatred for working at the factory. Throughout the play it is palpable that he hates his home life and especially the inability to use his instincts and strengths at the warehouse.
“The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams is a play about desire to escape and this concept is conveyed through a variety of techniques and ideas shown in this play of exploration by the playwright, Tom Wingfield. First, Jim tries to escape his engagement by having a romantic night with Laura. Then, Tom’s father escapes for the same reasons Tom did. Thirdly, according to Roger Boxill from ‘The Glass Menagerie’ Amanda escapes by reminiscing “Blue Mountain ... And the seventeen gentleman callers.” Fourthly, Laura escapes with romance, going for walks, her “Glass Menagerie, stomach pain, and the broken horn from the unicorn. Finally, Tom escapes by traveling, going to the movies, magic shows, and hanging out on the fire escape
Just as the glass menagerie represents all of the characters as a whole, it also represents each character individually. “Though the glass menagerie is most directly relevant to Laura, all four characters have sublimated their animal drives into esthetics. Laura has her glass animals, Tom his movies and poems, Amanda her jonquil-filled memories distorted into hopes, and Jim his baritone cliches of progress'; (Cohn 101). Though Amanda blames her children alone for relying on false illusions, she too carries this fault. Although it is obvious that the glass menagerie represents Laura because of her frailty, Tom, Amanda, and even Jim are exemplified too. They all concentrate their powers in illusions, only in different ways.