Women in the Glass Menagerie The women in the Glass Menagerie were modeled on women of the Victorian era: "They all seem reflecting a Southern Victorian culture that required a woman to be charming but not a breadwinner. They lived in a world of their own imagination and are unable to cope with a highly competitive business society. Their dreams focus on men who were never there” (Falk 168). They are not raised to be simple housewives, but to be neat and decent. Perhaps this hides the true frustration of women of that era. Amanda Wingfield was abandoned by her husband and is frustrated. She needed a male figure to help her throughout her life. The main focus of this essay is the dependence of women on men. Louis Blackwell writes about the plight of women in the Glass Menagerie: Williams makes a commentary on Western culture by dramatizing its belief that men and women find reality and meaning in life through satisfying sexual relationships. » (Stanton 101). Neither Laura nor Amanda have There is also talk of a satisfactory sexual relationship. As a result, both lead strange and unhappy lives. Amanda lives in the past and Laura escapes into her world of glass ornaments. Amanda and Laura's main goal is to find that companion who will save them. a difficult task and rests on Tom's shoulders. The search for a partner is actually the search for reality. Until a partner is found, they will remain in the world of illusions. Amanda constantly pesters Laura to stay pretty for her gentlemen. Without them, she won't be able to escape her current situation. Without a man, she will not succeed. Laura discusses Amanda's concerns about not having gentlemen. “Mother is afraid that I am an old maid” ( Williams 36). It's a shame for a woman not to have a companion.