Tom = Bartleby?

"You smoke too much.  A pack a day at fifteen cents a pack.  How much would that amount to in a month?  Thirty times fifteen is how much, Tom?  Figure it out and you will be astounded at what you could save.  Enough to give you a night-school course in accounting at Washington U!  Just think what a wonderful thing that would be for you, Son!" Scene 5, page 1255.

 Oh Amanda, where do I even start to describe you?  Oh wait, that's easy- hypocrite.  I know you implied elsewhere in this play (though I can't seem to find it now) that you wanted Tom to work more because otherwise you can't have nice things. See Amanda, you try to control your grown son's every movement, yet you allow your daughter to walk around all day, every day and have no clue about the situation?  You steal a sex book from your son, yet you beg him to find a gentleman caller for your daughter?

Dear Amanda, I am sure that your intentions are at the best place, but I think you may want to prioritize which sibling you treat better.  If Laura were to leave the house and run away from you, she would get sick and turn back.  Not to mention that you wouldn't lose any of your beloved income if she left you.  Seriously Amanda, not only does Tom clearly consist of your ex's blood, but he is your lone source of income.  If When Tom leaves you, he ain't coming back for you honey.  I suggest you play by his rules because he has warned you that people want him dead (was that sarcasm?) <-- link there!


Sorry, my font seemed to have messed up there.

Come on Amanda, this ain't the Amanda Show!