AMANDA: Will you? [He opens door. Imploringly.] Will you? [He starts down
.] Will you? Will you, dear? TOM [calling back]: YES
Another example that Amanda decides matter in the family is that when she insists Laura to use ‘Gay deceivers’ Williams 1720.
LAURA: Mothe r, what are you doing? AMANDA: They call them Gay Deceivers
LAURA: I wont wear them AMANDA: YOU Will
Amanda’s dominancy in the family indeed leads to intense changes of the family,
especially to Tom’s character traits. The leaving of the father is the beginning of the problems in the matriarchal
family because the fundamental function of the family as stated by Soekanto 1990: 85 cannot be afforded by Amanda. She cannot fulfill simultaneously her roles as a
mother and a father. Since she is not the breadwinner of the family, she does not have full control of the family in term of sincere willingness: Amanda’s children
hardly ever do what she wants sincerely.
4.2 .2 Tom’s Relationship in the Family
4.2 .2.1 Tom’s Relationship with Laura
Basically, Tom relationship with Laura is only a common one, because there is no special interrelatedness between the two of them. This reason is reasonable because
Tom and Laura spend most of their time in their own world. For sure, Laura is busy with her world of the glass Williams 1734-1735, whereas Tom is busy with his work at the
warehouse and his world of movies—he watches movies every night Williams 1706.
AMANDA: … I dont believe that you go every night to the movies. Nobody goes to the movies night after night. ….
However, one thing for sure about Tom is that he loves and cares about her. Tom agrees with Amanda’s wanting to find a gentlemen caller for Laura Williams
1712-1713. It proves that he loves and cares about her. Though they have a common relationship, but they care to each other. Laura
does not want to see any longer the ruin relationship between Tom and his mother. She is a very shy girl. She is also very introvert and she suffers from inferiority
complex, when someone low-rates himself Williams 1734, but she cares for the existence of good relationship between a son and a mother Williams 1709.
Laura: If you just say you’re sorry she’ll start speaking. Laura: ---, pleadingly glancing at Tom: stage direction
Laura at door: Do what I asked you, Will you, will you, Tom?
It is obviously seen from what Laura says to Tom that she wants Tom to apologize to Amanda. She cannot see their ruin relationship anymore. At this point, Laura can
illustrate that she closes to Tom because she can make sure or encourage him to apologize to Amanda.
4.2 .2.2 Tom’s Relationship with Amanda
The meaning of “Fluctuate” is the depiction of the relationship between To m and his mother. Frequently, they cannot manage themselves to stay calm and to enjoy
time together. The relationship between them is merely a son and a mother. This can be proven by the conflicts emerge easily because they cannot express their wishes
properly and in acceptable manners. Sometimes, they do not try to understand each other.
The first conflict appears easily is when Amanda advises Tom to eat appropriately, but in unacceptable manner according to Tom Williams 1698.
Amanda does not have any consideration that the way she advises Tom will not make him happy. As a mother, Amanda should notice the right manner of advising her son,
but she cannot implement it. This indicates that their relationship is merely a son and a mother. I consider that To m only needs a little attention which is appropriate from
his mother. He is a work man and he can figure out the manner of eating well with simple advice. The manner Amanda expresses her attention to Tom is excessive and
childish. In view of the fact that the relationship is merely a son and a mother, they tend
to oppose anger with anger. One of them cannot response wisely against provoking situation Williams 1705.
TOM: What in Christs name am I— AMANDA [shrilly]: Dont you use that -
TOM: Supposed to do AMANDA: Expression Not in my -
TOM: Ohhh AMANDA: Presence Have you gone out of your senses?
TOM: I have, thats true, driven out AMANDA: What is the matter with you, you - big - big IDIOT
TOM: Look- Ive got no thing, no single thing— PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
From the dialogues above, I can notice the increasing tension after Tom has said “What in Christ name am I”. How can a gentle mother say “IDIOT” to his son? Here,
Amanda is excessive to express her dislike to Tom. Amanda and Tom are not able to control their emotion. This is getting worse when Amanda uses rude word to
admonish Tom. Again, one of them cannot act wisely to confront the increasing tension that can be controlled if they are patient.
The relationship actually can be built to be more welcoming if both of them want to understand each other. On the contrary, Amanda does not start to do it. Based
on the analysis, I can confirm that she is a type of mother who cannot touch his son’s heart Williams 1706.
AMANDA: You will hear more, you - TOM: No, I won’t hear more, Im going out
AMANDA: You come right back in - TOM: Out, out, out Because Im -
AMANDA: Come back here, Tom Wingfield Im not through talking to you
Based on the dialogue above, Amanda keeps insisting Tom to pay attention to her. It can be inferred that the words used by Amanda are in high tones. The using of high
tones in speaking is carrying negative feelings. Furthermore, it will not create a good atmosphere in their relationship.
Apart from all the conflicts, Amanda can also act sufficiently well to Tom. Amanda’s acts make Tom a little relieved while talking to her Williams 1710.
AMANDA [sobbingly]: My devotion has made me a witch and so I make myself hateful to my children
TOM: NO, you dont. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
AMANDA: I worry so much, dont sleep, it makes me nervous TOM [gently]: I understand that.
AMANDA: Ive had to put up a solitary battle all these years. But youre my right- hand bower Dont fall down, dont fail
TOM [gently]: I try, Mother. AMANDA [with great enthusiasm]: Try and you will SUCCEED [The
notion makes her breathless ] Why, you - youre just full of natural
endowments Both of my children - theyre unusual children Dont you think I know it? Im so proud Happy and - feel Ive - so much to be thankful
for but - Promise me one thing, Son
TOM: What, Mother? AMANDA: Promise, Son, youll - never be a drunkard
TOM [turns to her grinning]: I will never be a drunkard, Mother. The dialogues above shows how Amanda tries to touch Tom’s heart through devoted
words she says to him. Amanda talks tenderly and is able to make Tom listen to her carefully. This time Amanda can utter her wish acceptably. At the least, Tom can feel
the warmness of his mother. This manner of conversation makes their relationship a little bit warmer.
In nature, Amanda is not a sphinx, an inscrutable person who keeps her thoughts and intentions secret, but she says things clearly so that Tom understands
what she has intended to say Williams 1715.
AMANDA: What did you wish for? TOM: Thats a secret.
AMANDA: A secret, huh? Well, I wont tell mine either. I will be just as mysterious as you.
TOM: I bet I can guess what yours is. AMANDA: Is my head so transparent?
TOM: Youre not a sphinx. AMANDA: No, I dont have secrets. Ill tell you what I wished for on the
moon. Success and happiness for my precious children I wish for that whenever theres a moon, and when there isnt a moon, I wish for it, too.
TOM: I thought perhaps you wished for a gentleman caller. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Amanda’s being honest to Tom makes him feel comfort. Tom finally erases his pessimistic mind that the only Amanda’s intention to talk to him is talk ing about the
gentlemen caller for Laura. Amanda can build a little bit warm relationship with his son, nevertheless it
cannot make Tom close to her personally. It happens because Tom is busy to take care of his own affairs and Amanda cannot encourage him to talk to her affectionately
Williams 1729.
JIM: Let me give you a hand. A M A N D A: Indeed you will not
JIM: I ought to be good for something. AMANDA: Good for something? [Her tone is rhapsodic.] You? Why, Mr
OConnor, nobody, nobodys given me this much entertainment in years – as you have
JIM: Aw, now, Mrs Wingfield AMANDA: Im not exaggerating, not one bit But Sister is all by her
lonesome. You go keep her company in the parlour Ill give you this lovely old candelabrum that used to be on the altar at the church of the Heavenly
Rest. ….
Amanda’s statement “Mr. O’Connor, nobody’s given me this much entertainment in years”, “…But sister is all by her lonesome. …” confirms that she never works
together with her children in the apartment. Tom’s relationship with his mother is not covered with affectionate feeling.
Certainly, they never share things about themselves and think it over personally. At the least, they just share information about the gentlemen caller planned for Laura
Williams 1719. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
AMANDA: But will tomorrow. To meet your sister, and what do I know about his character? Nothing Old maids are better off than wives of
drunkards
TOM: Oh, my God AMANDA: Be still
TOM [leaning forward to whisper]: Lots of fellows meet girls whom they dont marry
AMANDA: Oh, talk sensibly, Tom - and dont be sarcastic [She has gotten a hairbrush.]
TOM: What are you doing? AMANDA: Im brushing that cow-lick down What is this young mans
position at the warehouse? TOM [submitting grimly to the brush and the interrogation]: This young
mans position is that of a shipping clerk, Mother. AMANDA: Sounds to me like a fairly responsible job, the sort of a job you
would be in if you just had more get-up. Wha t is his salary? Have you any idea?
TOM: I would judge it to be approximately eighty- five dollars a month. AMANDA: Well - not princely, but
TOM: Twenty more than I make. AMANDA: Yes, how well I know But for a family man, eighty- five dollars a
month is not much more than you can just get by on. . . . TOM: Yes. but Mr OConnor is not a family man.
AMANDA: He might be, mightnt he? Some time in the future? The sharing is conducted by Amanda because she needs information about the
gentlemen caller, Jim O’Connor, so that she is to do it. She needs information whether the gentlemen caller is appropriate for Laura or not. The fact that they never
share things together personally can be proved by Amanda’s ignorance about what Tom is certainly doing outside the apartment.
The relationship which is not based on the affectionate feeling finally makes their relationship come to an end Williams 1740-1741.
AMANDA: Yo u didnt mention that he was engaged to be married. TOM: JIM? Engaged?
AMANDA: Thats what he just informed us. TOM: Ill be jiggered I didnt know about that
AMANDA: That seems very peculiar. TOM: Whats peculiar about it?
AMANDA: Didnt you call him your best friend down at the warehouse? TOM: He is, but how did I know?
AMANDA: It seems extremely peculiar that you wouldnt know your best friend was going to be married
TOM: The warehouse is where I work, not where I know things about people
AMANDA: You dont know things anywhere You live in a dream; you manufacture illusions [He crosses to door.] Where are you going?
TOM: Im going to the movies.
AMANDA: Thats right, now that youve had us make such fools of ourselves. The effort, the preparations, all the expense The new floor
lamp, the rug, the clothes for Laura all for what? To entertain some other girls fiancé Go to the movies, go Dont think about us, a mother deserted,
an unmarried sister whos crippled and has no job Dont let anything interfere with your selfish pleasure I just go, go, go - to the movies
TOM: All right, I ‘will The more you shout about my selfishness to me the quicker Ill go, and I wont go to the movies
AMANDA: Go, then Then go to the moon - you selfish dreamer Tom smashes his glass on the floor. He plunges out on the fire-escape,
slamming the door. The empty relationship eliminates the trust that should be the strong background for
the existence of warm relationship. The dialogues above tell how Amanda does not believe to what Tom says. She continuously distrusts Tom. She thinks that Tom has
lied to her about the gentlemen caller. The quarrel makes their relationship ends. Since their relationship has come to an end, Tom leaves the family Williams 1741.
TOM: I didnt go to the moon, I went much further - for time is the longest distance between places. Not long after that I was fired for writing a poem
on the lid of a shoebox. I left Saint Louis. I descended the step of this fire- escape for a last time and followed, from then on, in my fathers footsteps,
attempting to find in motion what was lost in space - I traveled around a great deal. …..
Fundamentally, the relationship held by Amanda and Tom is empty because their hearts are not taking part in it. Furthermore, they spend time together without any
heart connection as usually happen between an intimate relationship between a child and a mother.
4.3 Tom’s Character Development under the Influences of the Matriarchal
