by Tennessee Williams
I would definitely categorize Laura as an antihero, as she does not possess courage, grace, or intelligence. The lack of these traditional qualities serves to elicit pity for Laura throughout the play, especially in her bad fortune with suitors. That is why the end of the play upset me so greatly- I truly desired Laura's happiness. Laura obviously was getting along quite well with the charming caller, Jim, and towards the end of their conversation, Laura surely assumes that he will call her or ask her on a date sometime in the future, especially since they had just kissed and Laura had previously established that he was no longer seeing his high school girlfriend. Unfortunately for Laura, just went she thought she had a chance at happiness and companionship, Jim reveals that he can not see her again. "I can't call up next week and- ask for a date. I though I had better explain the situation in case you- misunderstood it and- hurt your feelings...I've got strings on me. Laura, I've- been going steady ! I go out all the time with a girl named Betty" (Williams, 1284).
Seriously!? Jim just spent a long time talking to Laura and pretty much flirting, then it was odd when he said he wanted Laura as a sister...then he kisses her! Then we found out he's engaged! Laura's hopes are shattered and my likability for Jim just plummeted. How dare he? And then he just tells Amanda that his fiance is waiting and he leaves. Poor sweet Laura is still on the floor, and her mother comes to comfort her. This is partly Tom's fault because he was the one who unknowingly brought home an engaged man. The play ends with Tom leaving for good, Amanda comforting Laura, and the narrator saying that he has tried to forget Laura, though his faithfulness sometimes prevails. Tom the narrator asks Laura to blow her candles out and say goodbye.
The lights go out and the play is over.
| This is totally what I would have done to Jim if I was Laura |
No comments:
Post a Comment