In terms of goals and dreams, the two differ in significant ways. Tom Wingfield is a dreamer, longing for a life of freedom and adventure. He longs for a life that stands in direct opposition to the miserable life he leads in St. Louis, supporting his mother and sister, working each day at a warehouse job he detests. Tom has dreams, but they are vague; he formulates no specific goals to achieve them. He simply wants out. When he finally breaks from his family, Tom just runs away with no particular place to go.
Jim O'Connor also has dreams, but his are expressed in terms of specific goals. Jim wants to succeed in a career; he wants economic success. He believes in the future of broadcasting, the rise of television. Jim prepares for his future, or tries to, by taking night classes in public speaking. By working to achieve his dreams of material success, Jim pursues what is generally considered to be the American Dream.
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