1. While the play takes place in 1937, Amanda's comment indicates that she believes that black women were still to be serving and cleaning up after white women, suggesting slavery.
Amanda: “Resume your seat, little sister, I want you to stay fresh and pretty for gentlemen callers!”
2. Amanda's reference to calling Laura, her daughter, “little sister” implies that Amanda sees herself more as a sister and equal rather than an authority figure or mother. She also states the importance of “gentlemen callers” and the pressure society puts on young women to find a mate.
Amanda: “In fact, I did not have the courage! I wanted to find a hole in the ground …show more content…
This is where the audience gets the full grasp of Amanda's selfishness. A gentleman caller is coming to the house the following evening for her daughter and Amanda does not even think to tell her. She immediately goes to think of what she has to do to prepare and how everything will look. Besides selfish, she exemplifies shallowness
“She wears a girlish frock of yellowed voile with a blue silk sash. She carries a bunch of jonquils – the legend of her youth is nearly revived.”
12. Amanda acts as though that gentleman caller, Jimmy, is for herself and not for Laura.
Amanda: “You modern young people are much more serious-minded than my generation.”
13. She is the main character in the story that is serious-minded about Laura's future, applying pressure to either go to school or find a husband.
Amanda: “It seems extremely peculiar that you wouldn't know your best friend was going to be married!”
14. Amanda confronts Tom about Jimmy's engagement, assuming that he knew. Tom responds by trying to tell her he did not know but Amanda does not listen.
Amanda: “Don't think about us, a mother deserted, an unmarried sister who's crippled and has no job!”
15. Amanda is cold and insensitive. Throughout the story she goes back and forth on caring for her children, but at this point it shows how cruel she really is. Laura has no confidence and clearly this stems from the way Amanda speaks of