The Glass Menagerie Drugs and Alcohol Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Scene.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a big long monologue.

Quote #4

"Find out one that’s clean-living—doesn’t drink and ask him out for sister!" (4.101, Amanda).

Amanda’s concern for alcoholism is excessive, extending both to her son and to her daughter’s potential suitor.

Quote #5

"Tom, he—doesn’t drink?"

"Why do you ask me that?"

"Your father did!"

"Don’t get started on that!"

"He does drink, then?"

"Not that I know of!"

"Make sure, be certain! The last thing I want for my daughter’s a boy who drinks!" (5.71-5.77, Amanda and Tom).

Only towards the end of the play does Williams reveal the source of Amanda’s concern over alcohol: that her husband drank.

Quote #6

"Old maids are better off than wives of drunkards!" (5.77, Amanda).

Amanda’s fear of alcoholism is so great that she even compromises her desire for Laura to get married at any cost.