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
With an outraged groan he tears the coat off again, splitting the shoulder of it, and hurls it across the room. It strikes against the shelf of Laura’s glass collection, and there is a tinkle of shattering glass. Laura cries out as if wounded.
[Music.]
[Screen legend: "The Glass Menagerie."]
"My glass!—menagerie…[She covers her face and turns away.] (Scene Three stage directions, 3.18, Laura)
The music "The Glass Menagerie" serves to connect Laura’s fragility with that of her glass ornaments.
Quote #8
She crosses through the portieres and draws them together behind her. Tom is left with Laura. Laura clings weakly to the mantel with her face averted. Tom stares at her stupidly for a moment. Then he crosses to the shelf. He drops awkwardly on his knees to collect the fallen glass, glancing at Laura as if he would speak but couldn't. (Scene Three, stage directions).
Unlike Amanda, Tom recognizes much of Laura’s fragility, and additionally recognizes it reflected in the glass menagerie.