The duty of fulfilling obligations to others serves as an obstacle in the path to following a dream. In The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, Tom Wingfield wants to be a poet, but he must work at a warehouse to provide for his family. In “The Man-Moth” by Elizabeth Bishop, the Man-Moth envisions reaching the moon, but real life ties him down. The rational side of him would never conjure up such a wild idea, so he reverts back to normalcy and turns his back on his unfulfilled opportunities. The practicalities of life and responsibility to others hold Tom and the Man-Moth back. Only Tom has the courage to pursue his aspirations; he seems free but in reality is still trapped, like Man-Moth.
Tom ultimately wants to write poetry, yet he feels …show more content…
The Man-Moth wants to climb to it and feels he "must investigate as high as he can climb." He imagines himself climbing buildings to reach the mysterious opening he wishes to investigate. He continually looks at it, thinking he will finally gather the courage to arrive at it. A conflicting part of the Man-Moth also believes that reaching the moon is merely a façade: “Man, standing below him, has no such illusion.” Two different parts make up the Man-Moth--the practical side of him and the dreamer. The man part of him is the one with the reasonable solution--giving up and never pushing his head through the moon. The idealist in him, the moth, tries to climb, but the man part of him deems it unreasonable. As much as the Man-Moth wishes he can reach the moon, the practicalities in life hold him …show more content…
Duty still remains an obstacle when Tom feels "pursued by something," (97) even after following his dream. This something is the haunting guilt of leaving Laura and his family. Tom feels guilt for abandoning his responsibilities, so his past burdens still trap him instead of allowing him fully following his dream. The Man-Moth must continue to endure the same obstacles and return to the "pale subways of cement he calls his home." His discontent is apparent, as the Man-Moth would rather be at the moon. Fulfilling duty results in the Man-Moth being unable to reach is true goal. The only escape is leaving the life he clearly feels displeased with. Following one's dream is the only way to escape the obstacles of obligation, yet it still remains an obstacle in the way of completely fulfilling
Tom ultimately wants to write poetry, yet he feels …show more content…
The Man-Moth wants to climb to it and feels he "must investigate as high as he can climb." He imagines himself climbing buildings to reach the mysterious opening he wishes to investigate. He continually looks at it, thinking he will finally gather the courage to arrive at it. A conflicting part of the Man-Moth also believes that reaching the moon is merely a façade: “Man, standing below him, has no such illusion.” Two different parts make up the Man-Moth--the practical side of him and the dreamer. The man part of him is the one with the reasonable solution--giving up and never pushing his head through the moon. The idealist in him, the moth, tries to climb, but the man part of him deems it unreasonable. As much as the Man-Moth wishes he can reach the moon, the practicalities in life hold him …show more content…
Duty still remains an obstacle when Tom feels "pursued by something," (97) even after following his dream. This something is the haunting guilt of leaving Laura and his family. Tom feels guilt for abandoning his responsibilities, so his past burdens still trap him instead of allowing him fully following his dream. The Man-Moth must continue to endure the same obstacles and return to the "pale subways of cement he calls his home." His discontent is apparent, as the Man-Moth would rather be at the moon. Fulfilling duty results in the Man-Moth being unable to reach is true goal. The only escape is leaving the life he clearly feels displeased with. Following one's dream is the only way to escape the obstacles of obligation, yet it still remains an obstacle in the way of completely fulfilling