The Glass Menagerie Freedom and Confinement Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Scene.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a big long monologue.

Quote #7

"Look! I’ve got no thing, no single thing…

…in my life that I can call my OWN! Everything is…

…Yesterday you confiscated my books!" (3.11, 3.13, 3.15, Tom).

Tom feels confined not only because of his job and position as breadwinner, but because of Amanda’s added restrictions on his life.

Quote #8

"House, house! Who pays rent on it, who makes a slave of himself to—" (3.17, Tom).

Tom uses hyperbole to emphasize the overwhelming sense of imprisonment he feels.

Quote #9

"What do you think I’m at? Aren’t I supposed to have any patience to reach the end of, Mother? I know, I know. It seems unimportant to you, what I’m doing – what I want to do – having a little difference between them!" (3.30, Tom).

Tom is trapped not only by his confining situation, but also by his mother’s inability to recognize his desires.