The Glass Menagerie Strength

What makes a character strong? What does it take to be a stronger person? In the play The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, the narrator Tom introduces his mother, Amanda, and his sister, Laura. Both characters show strength, but who is the stronger character? Throughout the play, Laura is compared to everyone else. She does not fit in well with other people. Laura is a strong young woman, but Amanda shows more resilience because she is independent, firm in what she says, and sets high expectations for her children.

One reason Amanda is the stronger character is because she is an independent woman. In the beginning of scene one, Tom tells the audience how Amanda became a single mother. He says, “This is our father who left us awhile ago.” (Williams, 5) This tells the audience that Amanda is a single mother raising two children. This quote is important because it shows that Amanda has strength. It has to be hard raising two kids by herself.
In scene two, Amanda talks to Laura about marrying a nice man. She says, ‘Girls that aren’t cut out for business careers usually wind up married to some nice man.” (Williams, 17) Amanda believes Laura can have a great life by marrying a nice man, even though business college did not work out for her. This reveals that Amanda stays strong for her children even when things are not easy.

One other strength Amanda has is being able to make high expectations for her children. Amanda has always expected Tom to be just like his father. Even though he does not want to be, she thinks it would be best for him. An example of this would be in scene five. Amanda says, “There is only one respect in which I would like you to emulate your father.” (Williams, 38) This quote is a great example that shows how Amanda wants Tom to be like his father. Even though Tom does not always agree with his mother, she believes it is best for