Free Glass Menagerie Essays: The Character of Tom Wingfield :: Glass Menagerie essays

The Character of Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie Tom Wingfield is a determined young man. He has decided against everyone else in his familys wishes that he wants to leave the dismal life of a factory job, to pursue a chance in the Merchant Marines. He realizes that he would be running send off like his father and this is probably the only thing that kept him from leaving this long. Amanda, Toms mother, deep down knows the day is coming that Tom will leave. She says But not till theres someone to take your place. She wants Laura, if not herself to be taken care of. At that moment in the play Tom is the breadwinner in the family and up to this invest Tom is the underpriviledged child that wants to move on. He wants to pursue his dream, a more than adventurous life. Tom was a likable character until we find out he didnt pay the electric bill with the intended bullion. When Jim is over and he says I paid my dues this month, instead of the light bill. At this point, Tom becomes a more selfish character. There is less sympathy given in his direction. In fact, this is probably where we feel a little more sorry for Amanda. Amanda has probably not done everything right for her family, but her intentions have always been good. Tom has lost patience and wants to pursue his journey away now. Theres no waiting to save the money for the dues. He doesnt stop going to the movies for a week or quit smoking to save money. He takes the money for the light bill. We know this is a painfully big deal and he has intentionally hurt his family at this point. He knows he has put himself in a position of no turning back. Now, he has to go. As if to make it okay in someway, he says, Im like my father. The bastard son of a bastard See how he grins? And hes been absent going on sixteen years Now we know, he doesnt plan to come back. He has justified his not feeling obligated to his family by saying he gets it naturally. He is his fathers son. Of course we have to decide if Tom h as a choice. Is Tom withering away where he is. His family is full of dysfunction and he wants to help Laura out also.