How does Williams choice to include the scene of Amanda and Tom talking about setting Laura up with a gentleman collar contribute to the meaning of the play the glass MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams
In "The Glass Menagerie," Williams' choice to include the scene of Amanda and Tom discussing setting up Laura with a gentleman caller serves to emphasize the central theme of the play - the characters’ struggle to navigate reality and illusion in their lives.
The setting up of Laura with a gentleman caller is portrayed as a desperate attempt by Amanda to secure a better future for her daughter, who is shy and disabled. However, this plan also highlights the fragile nature of the characters’ hopes and dreams, as the potential suitor ultimately proves to be unsuitable and the meeting ends in disappointment.
The scene serves to illustrate the ways in which the characters, particularly Amanda, cling to illusions and fantasies as a means of escaping the harsh realities of their lives. It also underscores the harsh truth that their attempts to control and shape their futures often end in failure and disappointment.
Overall, the inclusion of this scene highlights the themes of illusion, reality, and the characters’ struggle to find meaning and purpose in their lives in the face of disappointments and obstacles.