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 * Gavin Engert

Desiree's baby -Why did Desiree ask her husband if he wanted her to go and then act on his decision? Do you think this is merely reflected her character, or society at the time of the story?

When Desiree's husband finds out of the color of his recent child he is infuriated and refuses to speak to Desiree. Desiree later asks him if she should leave which shows she can't make decisions for herself. Instead she goes through to her husband for all the decision making because she wants to make him happy. This just shows her character as dependent upon other people and some what of a brown noser.**

I agree. I think that Desiree is dependent on her husband and needs to start making choices for herself. You can’t always let other people tell u what to do. You have to grow up, face things, and make decisions like adults. - Hunter S.

I think that Desiree’s turning to Armand for everything is a reflection upon society. Though it also shows weak character, I do think that she has him make decisions out of respect. At the time a woman was supposed to respect her husband, and he was the “boss” of the house. This was an idea that society put upon people. Society had an effect on the character of a woman and made them dependent on a man. -- Julia H.


 * Question: Tom goes to the movies and returns with a description of a magician who escaped from a coffin without removing a nail. Explain how this is symbolic of Tom's life.**


 * Answer__:__ Tom, throughout __The Glass Menagerie__, speaks of the negatives in where he lives and of his job. The coffin represents his job and the living conditions he is in. The nails symbolize his sister Laura and mother Amanda that are keeping him from leaving his present life (the coffin). He wants to free himself of the coffin without leaving his mother and sister behind, and it wouold take an act of magic to do so without hurting them both in the process.**

I agree with your response completely. Great Job. The coffin nailed up symbolizes the constraints that are put on Tom by his mother and sister. Always dependent on him, they are pulling him down more than they realize. He is always stressed out by this, and eventually leaves. In the magic show Tom describes the magician as having escaped the coffin without removing a nail. Tom is looking for a way to escape his life (the coffin,) without destroying the emotions of his mother and sister (the nails.)
 * Response from Ashley W: **

Glenn: I agree with your response. Tom wishes he was the magician so he could get out of his "coffin" without harming the "nails" holding his coffin together.

Werica dos Santos: Very well put, it's true that the coffin represents Tom wanting to leave his present life but his mother and sister hold him down. I also think that when he describes the magician as having escaped the coffin without removing a nail, he is imagening and hoping that one day he could solve his problems that easily. He realizes that in life situations are more complicated than they seem and this upsets him because the easiest thing to do would be to just leave.

Notes on your letter to the president: You have comma errors, misuse to, capitalize oil. Paragraph 2 rambles and I don't see any research. I gave you a B.

I am Holden

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Caulfield Brother of Phoebe, D.B., and Allie Who needs cigarettes, money, and a girlfriend Who loves himself, Phoebe, and cigarettes Who sees chaise lounge, a psychiatrist, smoke Who hates movies, school, and actors Who fears Failure, fights, and insecurity Who dreams of being happy, having a mute deaf wife, and going to California Who wonders about the future, what people think of him, and where the ducks go Resident of New York City, New York

Caulfield
 * __Gavin Engert__

This is exactly like several other people. **