Most parents only goals for their children are happiness and success. Many times, in trying to reach these goals, parents try to prevent their children from repeating mistakes they may have made earlier in life. This is the case with the Wingfield family in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. Amanda Wingfield attempts to do what is best for her children, although she often provokes responses opposite of her reactions.
Amanda is always trying to improve upon her children's lives. Amanda signs Laura up to go to Rubicam's Business College. She wants Laura to get a degree and be able to get a job to support herself. She wants Laura to be more independent, unlike herself, so she won't have to depend on other people throughout her life. Amanda instructs Tom on how hot his coffee should be, what he should put in his coffee, as well as how much he needs to eat to "put in a day's work." This shows that she wants Tom to be healthy and well nourished. She also wants him to be able to work hard to make good money so he can continue to support the family. Amanda asks Tom to find some "nice young [man]" at his work and ask him out for Laura. Amanda is trying to keep Laura from growing up to be an "old maid." This also shows that Amanda depends on Tom for many things including finding a gentleman caller for his sister. Amanda always intends for good results to come from the things she does for Tom and Laura.
Amanda's attempts to improve the lives of her children often lead to them pushing away from her. Laura is afraid to tell Amanda that she quit going to Rubicam's Business College because she couldn't face the "awful suffering look on [her mother's] face." This shows that Amanda's good intentions made Laura feel guilty about not going to school. Laura felt like she had to deceive her mother so she wouldn't disappoint her. Tom leaves the house to go to the movies after getting in an argument with Amanda about Laura.