The Glass Menagerie

This play is about a seemingly dysfunctional family consisting of a mother and two children. The mother, Amanda, has high hopes, dreams, and wishes for both of her children. Accordingly, she also has very high expectations. Her husband left her and that leaves Tom in the position as the head of the household. I feel as though this is a set up for disaster from day one because they do not have a "normal" life without a father. Though I am the only child in my family, my mom has been divorced since I was only three months old. Since I didn't have a brother, I have always been held at the highest expectations to succeed and help my mom with literally everything, and this includes things that women don't typically do- especially as a nineteen year old. I see my situation relating to that of Tom's because he is held responsible for things the mother would need from a companion and male. On the other hand, I can also relate to Laura because the mother is so bent on finding her a mate. My mother has always laid great importance on me finding the perfect man to complete my life so that I am better off then she is now, but the pressure is just too much. I am so happy with my current boyfriend, and yes she approves, but it is pretty recent. The pressure that she places on my relationship is unreal and definitely not fair. If I was Laura I would feel uncomfortable with my mother looking for my future mate. I don't see too far into this play as far as the importance of "The Glass Menagerie" but I feel as though it has something to do with the music, disasters within the family, and the glass animal figurines. I'm sure as I read more it will become more clear and will also make more sense as I try to understand at a more analytic level.