Monday, January 31, 2011

In The Glass Menagerie, how do Tom and Jim differ in their goals and dreams?

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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