Sarcasm Characterizes Tom

The Glass Menagerie
by Tennessee Williams

Tom is obviously a very outgoing and prominent character, especially since he is both the narrator and the brother, leading to a very interesting point of view.  Tom is characterized through many facets: directly through stage directions and his own description as a narrator, and indirectly through Tom's words and actions.  The author uses verbal irony as one way to give the reader some insight into Tom.  For example, Tom's sarcastic and exaggerated response to his mother's accusations of his shady night antics gives the reader a glance at Tom's unique and not necessarily positive character traits.  "TOM: I'm going to opium dens! Yes, opium dens, dens of vice and criminals' hang-out, Mother. I've joined the Hogan gang, I'm a hired assassin, I carry a tommy-gun in a violin case!...(Williams, 1247). Tom's words reveal his stubbornness and independence. Tom appears condescending and almost disrespectful to his mother- he even mentions that she can't tell him what to do or where not to go because he is the one that pays the rent.
In addition, Tom uses his sarcasm to avoid honesty with his mother Amanda.  Tom has before avoided uncomfortable or interrogating questions, and using sarcasm to blow off his mother's concerned questioning might just be the start of Tom's tactics to avoid uncomfortable situations.

Tommy gun in a violin case