Dominique Cain - Defense of Amanda Wingfield 6B 07 September 2014Constantly reliving her pass Amanda Wingfield sucks the life out of anyone near. Some would say as mother she fails, and as a person she's just another tragedy. However, can this really be said of someone who wishes to see their children thrive, even if that means they must suffer? Amanda Wingfield is a woman who clutches to her past, and as a consequence she cannot embrace her present. Her enmeshing temperament leads her to rely on others for support, unfortunately this is her fragile like daughter and son, Laura and Tom. Even though Amanda consciously stays the same, she longs for her children to venture out. Single-mindedly she makes "plans and provisions" for her children. For Tom she nags at him because she doesn't want him to run away like his father - though Tom constantly stares at his father wishing to experience the same timeless tranquility (Williams, 144). Meanwhile, she pushes Laura to purse a secretary job, and marry. When all of her pushing fails, she ultimately is left to a life of agonizing fiscal insecurity, and dependency - thus playing her out as the victim. One can argue that Amanda attempts change for Laura by trying to be a more caring mother. However, Amanda never really changes, and because of this her character remains static. Nevertheless, that is her choice, even though a personal choice is still considered a step taken towards achieving a goal. The fact that the choice is a bad choice is what renders her a victim of her circumstances; she does things within a very limited perspective and thinking that is best for her. Amanda Wingfield creates a false reality, which promises to relieve the sordidness of her, thought her ecstasy lies in her past, she feels she is forever indebted to her past life of luxury thus she is hindering the lives of her children in the end mistakenly. Though her children suffer, Amanda prays for contentment.