Michael Hals Defense of Amanda Wingfield 6B 7 September 2014.

In the Glass Menagerie, Amanda Wingfield may be considered tedious, but in

no way should she be considered a negative presence in the novel. While she
can be so overbearing that it irks the soul, one cannot doubt the innately
good character that lies deep, deep within her heart. Amanda is never
malicious in her actions, but instead always works with a lighter goal in mind.
No matter what scheme she has plotted, Amanda always has her childrens
best intentions at heart, and strives to give them the best life possible with
the lot theyve been given. Everything she does, whether its persuading Tom
to take charge of their family, or trying to round up some gentlemen callers
for Laura, all of it is to give a better life for their kids. Yes, Amanda can be
antagonistic. But such a trait is all but expected from someone whos gone
through what she did.
In her youth, Amanda had it all. And now, her husband has left her with a son
she fears will do the same, and a physically deformed daughter who cannot
attract a husband, which in Amandas mind is the worst fate that can
possibly befall a woman. Shes struggling to make ends meet by taking odd
jobs, while trying to scrounge up a respectable life for the only family she has
left. Its not that Amanda doesnt care her children dont want her to fix their
problems; she just doesnt notice. Like Gatsby, she is simply trying to go
back to the past, back to better days, in order to regain that splendid life
shes lost, no matter how fruitless those efforts may be. Amanda shouldnt

be considered a negative character in the story, but instead one that should
be devoted a great deal of pity, as her struggled attempts to do good are
always marred with failure.