Paragraph 2 Flashcards
The scene opens in media res, we can’t see them but we can hear their highly charged emotional voices. Tom shouts ‘ what in Christ’s name am I supposed to do’ followed by a groan of exasperation, we don’t know what has led to this argument which unnerves is further.
Their argument illustrates that Tom can no longer contain Amanda’s obsessive attempts to control his life - from forbidding the work of DH Laurence, to chastising him for going to the movies and staying out late and finding a. Husband for Laura. Amanda controls and critisizes toms every action. Tom doesn’t own anything he feels disenfranchised.
Tom mocks amanda with an outstanding speech about his alter ego ‘el diablo’ ‘killer wingfield’
Tom makes fun of Amanda’s suspicions through verbal irony. The sad irony is that his life is the polar opposite. His speech is full of pathos.
Tom violently leaves in a bad temper, his coat ‘strikes against the shelf of Laura’s glass menagerie’
This incident foreshadows Laura’s heartbreak later on. The event emphasise the collections fragility and so we are reminded of Laura’s own fragility. Tom is the one responsible and the pain of his position is made clear. As much as he would like to life his own life his actions have a knock on effect on the well being and security of his mother and sister.
