Amanda's devotion and love for her children is questioned when she states, "AMANDA: I mean that as soon as Laura has got somebody to take care of her, married, a home of her own, independent- why, then you'll be free to go wherever you please, on land, on sea, whichever way the wind blows you" (pg. 44). This clearly depicts Amanda's selfishness and ungratefulness, as she puts Tom's dreams and ambitions second to hers; After all the work he has put in to care for the family. Amanda tells Tom that before he follows his dreams, he has to find someone to take care of Laura and her. Tom dislikes his mother's controlling personality and how she always gets her way with him. .
In Tracy Lett's August: Osage County, every member of the Weston family have their own problems and issues, but Violet's are a dime a dozen. In the prologue of the play, when the audience is first introduced to Violet, she is high on pills, slurring her words and hallucinating to a certain extent. For example, 'VIOLET:Why don't you go fuck a fucking sow's ass? BEVERLY: Alright. VIOLET: I'm sorry. I'll be sickly sweet. I'm soooooooo sweet. In-el-abrially sweet" (Letts 6). This shows how inappropriate, foul mouthed and bipolar Violet can get in contrast to Amanda from Tennessee William's The Glass Menagerie. Unlike Amanda, Violet is a harsh realist who is not stuck living in the past. For example, "I didn't say they "don't grow more attractive," I said they get ugly. And it's not really a matter of opinion, Karen dear. You've only just started to prove it yourself" (Letts 84). This accurately depicts Violet's acceptance of the present. Unlike Amanda, Violet is not constantly reminiscing of when she was a young girl, instead Violet accepts that she is getting old and ugly. The Weston family dislike Violet's inappropriate and shameless personality. .
The family matriarchs, Violet and Amanda, from August:Osage County and The Glass Menagerie, are both facing the issue of being abandoned by their husband, one way or another.
