Tom Essay Quotes Flashcards
“I haven’t enjoyed one bite of this dinner because of your constant directions on how to eat it.”
This suggests that Tom is tired and fed up of his mothers constant nagging and instructions on how to carry out straight forward tasks. He seems irritated by her constant getting on at him for every little thing.
“Honey, don’t push with your fingers… and chew-chew!”
Amanda is telling a grown man how to eat and cut his food. Usually you would only tell a toddler how to eat their food, not an adult. Tom might feel annoyed by this as he is more than capable. I get the impression that Tom’s relationship with his mother can get quite fraught. I believe they both care about each other but they get on each other’s nerves quite a bit. They seem to clash and have quite a tense relationship.
“Look! I’d rather somebody battered out my brains- than go back mornings!”
This highlights how much Tom loathes his job. He would rather suffer a brutal, painful death than have to face returning to the warehouse. The work is boring, menial, monotonous. Tom continues to work for his family as he feels as though it is his responsibility.
“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.
“Man is by instinct a lover, a hunter, a fighter, and none of those instincts are given much play at the warehouse.”
Toms job leaves him without purpose, worth and feeling empty. Tom longs for adventure and excitement in his life but none of these things are involved in his work at the shoemakers. His job does not allow him to develop as a person in any way, he simply turns up and does his boring job day in, day out. He gets no sense of achievement from it.
“There is a trick that would come in handy for me- get me out of this 2 by 4 situation!”
Tom’s only escape is by going to the movies, drinking or watching magic shows. Tom admires the way the magician was able to escape from the coffin (sealed situation) without causing damage to the coffin itself. This is symbolic for Tom’s situation and is a metaphor for his life. He feels dead inside because he gets no fulfilment, pride or adventure from his life. Tom feels weighed down by the burden of responsibility he didn’t ask for, however he saw the devastation his father caused and does not wish to repeat this, there are many “nails” in Tom’s coffin (dreams, fathers departure, work, Amanda, Laura, responsibilities.) However, he longs to leave to follow his own dreams and desires without causing pain or destroying his family.
“As soon as Laura has got somebody to take care of her, married, a home 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 if a replacement for him is found then he could go with Amanda’s blessing. This “deal” is significant because it would allow Tom to leave without hurting anyone or destroying his family. He has the opportunity to get out of his 2 by 4 situation and avoid any upset in the process or “removing a nail.”
“Don’t think about us, a mother deserted, an unmarried sister who’s cripples and had 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 her son is selfish in his actions and behaviour. She does not believe she has any responsibility in this and is oblivious to the upset she causes Laura while this arguing goes on.
“The more you shout about my selfishness to me the quicker I’ll go, and I won’t go to the movies!”
This outburst from Amanda is the final straw for Tom. He can take no more and he decides to leave. Tom wanted to leave without removing any “nails” but he failed due to Amanda pushing him over the edge.
“The cities swept about me like dead leaves…”
Instead of escaping his responsibilities he finds that the memory of his family and the reality of his family abandonment and betrayal simply follows him wherever he goes. The cities were supposed to be full of life and excite my but leave Tom cold and unfulfilled. He is unable to settle in new places and everything passes him in a blur as he wanders aimlessly from place to place.
“A piece of transparent glass, tiny transparent bottles with delicate colours, like bits of a shattered rainbow.”
Tom is unable to settle as he is haunted by the memory of his sister wherever he goes. He sees reminders of her on every corner, even in simple objects. Tom is racked with guilt and sadly his life follows the same pattern and cycle as before as he seeks escape from the burning memory of Laura.
