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Amanda forces things on her children that neither want. Amanda does this with Tom, the obligation she places on her son, Tom, is inexcusable. A mother is supposed to support her children and not the other way around. Amanda tells Tom while arguing about where he is going, What right have you got to jeopardize you r job? Jeopardize the security of us all?
How do you think wed manage (P. 23) Notice the words we and us, it interesting cause she uses these while speaking of Toms life. He is an adult; his life should be his own. Tom shouldnt be tied down by his mother and sister, blood is thicker that water, however blood only goes so far. She is trying to live vicariously through her children. Amanda feels as if she didnt do so well in life.
So by making her children do certain things she can experience what she missed second-hand through her kids experiences. The worst of it is she doesnt even seem appreciative of Toms generosity, and sense of obligation. Telling him, Overcome selfishness! Self, self, self is all that you ever think of! (p. 35) Selfish, a word that would describe some, but never Tom. He has put his hopes and dreams on hold for his family, hes trapped in his own personal prison, and Amanda has the nerve to call him selfish. To be unable to give someone just due, is not a saintly quality, but that of an unholy creature.
Amanda is a loving mother, however this love is over shadowed by the selfishness of her words and actions. For example when Laura gets a gentleman caller, Amanda produces two powder puffs which she wraps in handkerchiefs and stuffs in Laura's bosom. (p. 52) When Laura objects strongly telling her mother, I wont wear them! (p. 52) Her mother firmly tells her, You will! She goes on to see to say, to be perfectly honest, your chest is flat. (p. 52) It doesnt take a genius to know that calling your daughter flat is not a saintly thing to do. In another conversation with her daughter she asks her, So what are we going to do the rest of our lives? (p 15) Amanda is selfish she is forcing her daughter to do something that she obviously does not want, simply because she is worried how she will be supported. It can be seen when she uses the word our when referring to Laura's future. Amanda is trying to help her daughter by attracting a gentleman caller, and a potential husband to support them.
She is not realizing Laura with all her shyness is a grown woman and can make decisions for herself; it is not right for Amanda to try and force her to do anything she doesnt want to. A mother is supposed to want whats best for her child solely, and not whats best for her. She has even admitted to her overbearing ways, while reconciling with her son because of and argument the previous night. Amanda says, My devotion has made me a witch and so I make myself hateful to my children. (p 30) Here Amanda admits to her unkindly ways, and gives her reason for them as well, an unequivocal love for her children. This love is good, but a witch is witch, whether it is a good witch or an unbelievably evil witch. Amanda seems to genuinely love, and want the best for her children.
Tom goes out to the movies when he returns he is stumbling drunk. The next morning Laura confronts him she begins by comparing him to his father. The same father that ran out on Amanda and her children fifteen ago, and whos picture is perched above the fire place. She says, I never told you but I- loved your father And you when I see you taking after his ways! Staying out late-and well, you had been drinking the night you were in that- terrifying condition! Amanda seems to have shed selfish thinking and show genuine concern for the well being of her family.
Amanda clams to be terrified that Tom will end up like his father that he will up and leave her and Laura. She tells Tom, I dont have secrets. Ill tell you what I wished for on the moon. Success and happiness for my precious children! I wish for that whenever theres a moon, and when there isnt a moon, I wish for it, too. (p. 40) She is trying to speak from her heart, supposedly telling Tom her intentions. However, this is all a sham, a clever face that she has set up to seem innocent.
Though one would want to believe that she is saintly mother, in reality she is not. For instance when Laura rushes out to the store and trips down the stairs. Amanda is startled and hurries to the door and peered anxiously after her. She comments afterward, if anyone breaks a leg on those steps, the landlord ought to be sued for every cent he possesses! Notice the phrase ought to be sued for every cent hes worth, Laura her daughter with a disability has just falling down the steps, and the only thins Amanda can think off is suing someone and getting money. She is looking to profit from her daughters injury.
She doesnt even ask if Laura is all right, she could have crippled her leg worse than it already is, yet she does not. Amanda is unscrupulous; shes a money hungry selfish and self-centered person, attributes commonly given to that of a truly evil creature. In Conclusion Amanda is indeed a demon, she forces her children to do things they obviously dont want to do. She is selfish and self-centered in her motives. Even though she portrays loving feelings of concern for her children, it is merely a face. Some would say Amanda is simply a mother that will do anything to make sure her children dont make the same mistakes she did.
However, she has proven that even when appears to care, she is merely (word). So again do the ends justify the means? And in every situation the answer will still be the same, no. Wrong is wrong and intention never excuses it.
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Research essay sample on Gentleman Caller Tells Tom
