A Raisin in the Sun - Walter

Walter is responsible for his own situation. He is irresponsible and immature with the money. Not only does Walter use all of the money for his own selfish needs, he doesn't care enough to make sure the family's money is going to a worthwhile cause. Walter has such a strong vision and dream that he can't let anything get in his way. He can't seem to understand the risks involved with his actions. I feel that Walter's actions are driven by his desire to provide for and support his family. He wants a better life for the family, but his own selfish wants tend to cloud his reasoning, which ultimately leads to his loss of all the family's money.

A Raisin in the Sun - Travis

Travis brings out the characters true personalities. When Travis buys Mama the hat, she shows how much she truly loves her family by being so grateful for the gift. Travis helps to keep the whole family together. There is a lot of friction within the family. Travis helps to bring some youth and a fun-loving personality into the atmosphere. Although, Travis can be a troublemaker and cause Ruth a little stress, he represents innocence. He doesn't always understand that the family can't afford to have the things that he wants, but he is always able to have fun and innocently play outside with friends.

A Raisin in the Sun - Ruth and Walter

Ruth and Walter's relationship is very realistic. Their relationship has lost the romance and is becoming more difficult. Ruth works day in and day out to provide for the family, and she is tired of Walter and his dreams and his selfishness. Walter is the idealistic person in the relationship due to his dreams and fantasies of his perception of a better life. Ruth is more of a realist. She tells Travis like it is by only giving him the money that they can afford to give him. Ruth has become tired of Walters depression due to his want for something more. When Ruth asks Walter how he wants his eggs, he says, "anything but scrambled." Then, Ruth scrambles them. Walter is always making things difficult for Ruth.

The Glass Menagerie

Amanda is an interesting character. I do not like really like her because I feel that she lacks many maternal characteristics. I believe that she truly does love both of her children and she's doing all that she knows to help them out and prepare them for their futures. She wants her children to have a better life than she did. However, Amanda is constantly bragging about how many gentleman callers she had and how popular and beautiful she was and is. Newsflash Amanda! You picked the wrong guy and your life is not nearly what you ever imagined it to be. I feel that she just needs to get over herself. At one point in the play, Laura had gotten ready for the dinner with Jim, and Amanda was acting like a six year old wearing her dress up clothes.

The Glass Menagerie: Tom's dilemma

Tom wants more adventure in his life. One way he is trying to get more adventure in his life is by going to the movies every night. Tom is always quarreling with his mother because he feels like she is holding him back. Amanda loves her son, but she is almost overprotective to the point that her children are beginning to pull away from her. Tom also loves his sister Laura. He obeys his mother to find a decent gentleman caller for Laura; however, Laura seems to be just one more person that Tom has to support and who is holding him back. Tom has a lot of his father in him. Part of having his father in him is the idea that Tom has a thirst for adventure. Working at a warehouse making little pay, and having the stress of supporting his mother and sister isn't exactly what Tom planned on or signed up for. This causes tension between him and his mother.

The Glass Menagerie: Nonrealistic

This play is told from the memory of Tom. Memory is nonrealistic because memories can alter through time. The play is nonrealistic in the way time passes. Some days seem to include only a couple lines of dialogue, while others last much longer. I also feel that Tom's movie addiction is nonrealistic. Who goes to the movies every night? I honestly don't think that's possible. With his small salary that needs to support three people, I don't understand why he wastes his money away drinking and watching movies. And he does it all just so he can have some more adventure in his life.