In the play, The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams (repr. in Thomas R. Arp, and Greg Johnson, Perrine's Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense, 8th ed. [Fort Worth: Harcourt, 2002] 1234), the reader is introduced to the Wingfield family. Amanda, the mother, requests that Tom, her son, bring home a gentleman caller for his sister, Laura. Jim O'Connor graciously accepts Tom's invitation to dinner. This essay will demonstrate three reasons why this event had a positive effect on Laura.
             For instance, this will be a night of many firsts for Laura. Laura, being a shy girl, had never had a gentleman to call on her before, as is shown when Amanda and Tom are discussing the upcoming evening. Amanda states, "Do you realize he's the first young man we've introduced to your sister?" (1258). Not only is this her first gentleman caller, but as the night progresses Jim and Laura are in the parlor and Jim asks Laura to dance with him, "How about cutting the rug a little, Miss Wingfield?" (1281). Laura responds with "I've never danced in my Life!" (1281). After Jim convinces Laura to dance this will lead to a very special first, Laura's first kiss.
             Another positive thing that happens that night is Laura's self confidence is built up. Laura is very self conscience about a limp that she acquired when she was young. This contributed to Laura's shyness and her low self-esteem. Jim encouraged her throughout the evening and pointed out to her that she had many good qualities. For
             instance, he tells her "You're pretty!...Your eyes- Your hair- are pretty! Your hands are pretty!" (1283). Jim also tells her to look around at the world at all of the "common people" (1280). He asks her, "Which of them has one-tenth of your good points?" (1280). This opened Laura's eyes to see that she does have special qualities about her that make her...