The Glass Menagerie, Scene 3

"Before the stage is lighted, the violent voices of Tom and Amanda are heard.  They are quarreling behind the portieres.  In front of them stands Laura with clenched hands and panicky expression." - stage directions.

What I thought was interesting was how upset and angry Tom seemed all the time.  He tells Jim that he is going to leave his family because he is so unhappy.  How is it that Amanda and Laura haven't realized that there is a possibility that he might leave?  Especially since he is out all night at the movies, doing things that are similar to what Amanda's husband did before he left, then why wouldn't Amanda realize earlier the possibility.  Although she does say that he can leave once a man has been found for Laura, I do not believe she knows the how serious his is about leaving.  The other thing is that from the quote above, one can see that this quarreling really bothers Laura.  Perhaps this contributes to why she is so awkward all the time.  Perhaps she is so nervous about her family life that she can hardly stand to venture out into the real world and break out of her shell.