A Father Long Gone

In The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams the long gone father plays an important role in Tom's memory and the family's life. The father left early in the marriage so he could chase his dreams and make money. Tom decided to follow his father's footsteps and set his own path, " from then on, in my father's footsteps" (Williams, 1288). Tom chose to live a better life and fight the grasp that Amanda had over him. Amanda was affected by her husband greatly. Once he left, she was forced to sell magazines and force Tom into working at the mill. She lives in a world of disillusion. She no longer notices that Laura is crippled. She no longer sees that Laura has social problems. She accuses Tom of being selfish, which is entirely false.She lives in her own fantasy. The splitting of the family was caused by the father leaving the family.