In Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" distortion is evident from the very beginning. The Wingfields are all, each one, living in some sort of fantasy that is a distortion of reality, or they are trying to be someone they are not. While each member of the family's problems are different, they all have in common that distorted view of reality.
             Amanda, the mother of the family, cares for her children (Laura and Tom) a great deal, perhaps too much. Seeing as how she is older and without a husband, she makes it her business to orchestrate the marriage plans of her daughter, Laura; of course, with the underlying intention of making sure she herself is taken care of. She is unable to see Laura as what she is--- a cripple; she has the ideal plan in her head for Laura to meet and marry the perfect gentleman caller, and live happily ever after.
             Tom, all the while, is living at home as well, though he too is fullgrown. He lives at home mainly because of the obligation he feels to provide for his overly dependent sister. However, living conditions are not easy for Tom. He constantly has to deal with the more than constructive criticism from his mother on certain habits of his, of which she disapproves. His world is distorted in that he seeks adventure in his life, and sees adventure in the movies; therefore, uses the movies (along with alcohol) as an escape from the humdrum yet stressful situation he currently faces at home.
             As part of Amanda's plan to find Laura a husband, she has Tom search his workplace for decent young prospects. This is when Jim is introduced into the play. Jim is a caring, intelligent, hardworking man who appears to be near perfect. In fact, Jim's character may be one of the few elements in the story that is not distorted. Jim thinks with a clear head; he is logical, but not without feelings; therefore, he tries to aid Laura in "com
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