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
"And, oh, I forgot! There was a big stage show! The headliner on this stage show was Malvolio the Magician…But the wonderfullest trick of all was the coffin trick. We nailed him into a coffin and hr got out of the coffin without removing one nail. There is trick that would come in handy for me-get me out of this two-by-four situation!
…"You know it don't take much intelligence to get yourself into a nailed-up coffin, Laura. But who the hell ever got himself out of one without removing one nail?"
As if in answer, the father’s grinning photograph lights up. (4.9, 4.13, Tom, Scene Four stage directions).
It seems that when Tom’s father abandoned the Wingfield family, there was little or no effect on the remaining remembers.
Quote #5
"We have to do all that we can to build ourselves up. In these trying times we live in, all that we have to cling to is-each other…" (4.31, Amanda).
Tom’s eventual abandonment of his family is made more tragic by Amanda’s comments that they need each other.
Quote #6
"However, you do act strangely. I-I'm not criticizing, understand that! I know your ambitions do not lie in the warehouse, that like everybody in the whole wide world-you've had to-make sacrifices, but-Tom-Tom-life's not easy, it calls for-Spartan endurance! There's so many things in my heart that I cannot describe to you! I've never told you but I-loved your father…"
[gentle]: "I know that, Mother." (4.61, 4.62, Amanda and Tom).
Amanda’s character is made more sympathetic by her discussions of the husband that abandoned her.