Amanda is different from most people. Her southern upbringing is extremely apparent. She lives in her own little world and crosses back and forth …show more content…
She pushes Tom so hard because she does not want him to be like his father and she wants so much for him to be happy. Without realizing that Tom is different from her or what she wants him to be she cannot acknowledge the fact that he will one day leave in search of the adventure that he wishes he had now. I don’t think she is completely able to live in this illusion she has created. The pressures of everyday living force her to face many unpleasant facts. The biggest of these is realizing Laura may not marry. We see her tell Laura, “I know so well what becomes of unmarried women who are not prepared to occupy a position.” Even if she does fail to acknowledge Laura’s defects, she is realistic enough to understand Laura’s difficult position. Furthermore, she has seen the letter that Tom received from the Merchant Marines and knows that he plans to leave someday. After facing these brutal facts she tries to get Tom to set up a gentlemen caller for