The Values Of Tom Wingfield Essay, Research Paper

The Values of Tom WingfieldThe Glass Menagerie In The Glass Menagerie there are three main characters, which, are unique in their own ways. Tom is one of those three characters. He is very unique and somewhat unpredictable in his actions and words. In The Glass Menagerie Tom is both a son and brother; he has also been forced into the role as the man of the house because of his fathers unexpected departure. As one reads this play, he or she can realize that Tom is selfish, yet caring has a strong need for adventure and is the most round and dynamic character in the play. Tom s role in his household was to provide for his sister and mother by working at the shoe warehouse. He basically gave up his life so his family could live. So how can one say that Tom is selfish? The reader has to look further than skin deep. Tom works at the warehouse but the whole time he is there he dislikes it, because in scene three he said I d rather somebody picked up a crowbar and batter out my brains-than go back mornings. (Williams, 1707). Also Tom does not care if he gets fired or not judging by the amount of time that he spends writing poetry at work. Tom does not appreciate what he has or that his family is provided for. Tom also shows a hint of selfishness when he tells Amanda that there is nothing in that house that he can honestly call his own. Tom also goes to the movies or gets drunk almost every night and he knows that Amanda and Laura are worried about him but that changes nothing. He still goes out without thinking of how it effects his mother or sister. The most selfish act that Tom commits is when he does not pay the light bill. Tom uses the money that Amanda gave him for the light bill to join the merchant marines and leave his mother and sister to care for themselves. The reader can realize that Tom is not bothered by this decision because when Jim asked Tom How about your mother? (Williams, 1725), Tom replied I m like my father. The bastard son of a bastard. See how he grins? And he s been absent going on sixteen years! (Williams, 1725). Tom basically says that since his father left and had no hard feelings, then he has to follow in his father s footsteps without looking back. Towards the end of the play the reader sees where Tom has left Amanda and Laura to care for themselves. Although, Tom left he was always haunted by the memory of his sister.

Tom s major downfall was his need for adventure. Tom wanted to live an upbeat life full of adventure but it was impossible for him to do because he had to care for Amanda and Laura. The only way for Tom to live his own life would be to leave, just as his father had done. To escape from his slow life while he was at home Tom would go to the movies almost every night. It was there at the movies that Tom could drink and somehow live his adventurous life through his imagination and the characters in the movies. The movies only satisfied Tom s thirst for adventure a short while, as Tom watched more movies his desire for adventure grew. Time went on and Tom became fed up with the movies and the people who watched them, as seen from this statement People go to the movies instead of moving. (Williams, 1725). He meant that people live their lives through the people in the movies and forget about their own dreams and goals. They just go through the same motions day after day and when they get a need for adventure they just go to the movies. Tom was determined not to let that happen to him. He had dreams, a need for adventure, and he was determined to go through with them. Tom is the most round and dynamic character in the play. All throughout the play he is involved in someway with everything that takes place. Tom also changed throughout the course of the play. At the beginning of the play he is more caring about his sister and mother. Although, Tom plans to leave he still shows compassion on his sister and mother, but as the play moves along that care and compassion dwindles. As Tom continues to work and live his slow life there at home he begins to burn inside. He begins to loose sight of his family s needs and focuses more on his needs. Eventually, Tom leaves and until then he realizes his feelings for his sister. Tom changed dramatically throughout the play and it was for the worse not he best. From the beginning of The Glass Menagerie to the end Tom changed in more ways than one. He became very selfish and started doing his best to make himself happy. Everyday his need for adventure grew and his slow, monotonous life at home just made it worse. Tom knew the only thing that would make him happy would be to run just as his father had done.