Laura Essay Quotes Flashcards
“Laura draws a long breath and gets awkwardly to her feet. She crosses to the victrola and winds it up.”
Laura is a very introverted and quiet person with a shy personality. The victrola belonged to Mr Wingfield and is one of the only reminders she has of her dad. Whenever Laura gets particularly uptight or upset she will play the victrola. This shows she sees it as a comfort during difficult times. Laura is clearly uncomfortable and with an awkward action puts on the gramophone.
“He was a telephone man who fell in love with long distances… and skipped the light fantastic out of town.”
Tom feels completely responsible for the family since their father abandoned them. The father left suddenly and unexpectedly with no intention of returning, leaving Tom to provide for the family. Tom feels as though it is his duty and he cannot simply abandon his family like his father. This was especially a shock to Laura and she seems to miss him.
“Amuse ourselves with the glass menagerie, darling?… I know so well what becomes of unmarried women who aren’t prepared to occupy a position.”
This highlights Amanda’s strained relationship with Laura and the fact that they are not close and can’t talk openly. Amanda is mocking and putting down Laura’s glass collection which is her most prized possession. Amanda is saying that there is no hope without a career and a well paid job is a necessity. The only thing Amanda is interested in is finding a husband for Laura and is showing no respect towards her feelings.
“Her hands shook so that she couldn’t hit the right keys.”
Laura can’t cope with pressure and stress at all. She fails to be able to cope with reality and everyday tasks involving any pressure whatsoever. Laura dropped out of college as she could not bear it despite Amanda thinking she still attended. Amanda has a very negative reaction when she hears about her daughters problems and is unsupportive. She lectures Laura about the importance of going to college and is quite critical.
“Laura appears in a night-dress, observing Tom’s empty bed in the front room.”
Laura and Tom have a close relationship and it is obvious they care about each other. To some extent, Laura admires Tom and it is clear she has an influence over him. Laura has waited up all night for Tom to return. When Tom arrives home he is drunk. Laura is desperate for him to be quite so that Amanda is not awakened, as this would lead to another argument. It highlights Laura’s nature as she is trying to avoid confrontation and keep the peace.
“As soon as Laura has got somebody to take care of her, married, a house of her own, independent- why, then you’ll be free to go wherever you please, on land, on sea, whichever way the wind blows you.”
Amanda is offering a deal and ultimatum to Tom that of a replacement for him is found then he can leave with Amanda’s blessing. This”deal” is significant as it would allow Tom to leave without hurting anyone or destroying his family. Laura is unaware of the deal being made but it has given Tom a reason to help in the search to find Laura a gentleman caller.
“Inferiority complex! Know what that is? That’s what they call it when someone low- rates himself!”
Jim is considerate, calm, open and appears to be very aware that Laura is nervous. Jim puts Laura at her ease and gradually Laura behind to relax and talk to him. She comes out of her shell and becomes bolder and less shy, even talking about her beloved glass menagerie. Jim believes that Laura lacks confidence and belief in herself.
“Now it is just like all the other horses… I’ll just imagine he had an operation. The horn was removed to make him feel less freakish!”
The unicorn is a symbol for Laura. The glass unicorn is fragile and rare, just like Laura in many ways as she does not cope in the real world and is fragile and delicate. The unicorn’s horn makes it stand out (it looks different.) this is similar to Laura who feels that her leg brace etc made her stand out from the crowd. Jim manages to get Laura to dance and they knock the unicorn, breaking it. This is symbolic as now Laura is just like all the other girls by dancing and kissing Jim and has entered the real world. She is no longer different or in a world of illusion.
“Laura struggles visibly with her storm.”
After Jim confessing that he is engaged and can’t see Laura again she is gutted. Laura is disappointed, shocked and upset by his confession. Despite trying her best to disguise it, she is obviously devastated. She went from the best moment of her life to possibly the worst in a matter of seconds. Laura thought she had finally found someone who liked her and a positive thing in her life but it all came crashing down.
“Don’t think about us, a mother deserted, an unmarried sister who’s crippled and has no job!… just go, go, go- to the movies!”
Amanda turns on Tom and can’t understand how he could have been unaware of Jim’s engagement. She blames Tom entirely for the way things have turned out and once again she thinks he is selfish in his actions and behaviour. She does not believe she has any responsibility in this is and is oblivious to the upset she causes Laura while this arguing goes on. Tom has had enough and leaves, which has a crushing effect on Laura. Not only had she lost her first ever gentleman caller but also her brother, leaving her with virtually nothing but Amanda.
