Attention to Detail

At the beginning of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, we learn that Amanda pays great attention to detail. In the first scene, we see the family eating what was suppose to be a nice relaxing dinner. We soon learn that Tom the narrator and Tom the character are completely different people. While they were eating dinner, Amanda instructs Tom on how to eat his food. She not only pays attention to the details of how he eats his food, but also to the food itself. Amanda states "A well cooked meal has lots of delicate flavors that have to be held in the mouth for appreciation" (Williams, 1237). She pays attention to the specific detail that some spices must have be held in the mouth for a certain amount of time in order to get the full flavor. She also pays attention to how the other member of her family, not just Tom do not take the time to appreciate the food. They do not share the same appreciation for the food as their mother. They also do not take the time to pay attention to the details of life. It shows how Tom and Laura do not take after their mom in every aspect of their lives.