Read this excerpt from Scene 7 of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.
TOM: I'm going to the movies.
AMANDA: That's right, now that you've had us make such fools of ourselves. The effort, the preparations, all the expense! The new floor lamp, the rug, the clothes for Laura! all for what? To entertain some other girl's fiancé! Go to the movies, go! Don't think about us, a mother deserted, an unmarried sister who's crippled and has no job! Don't let anything interfere with your selfish pleasure I just go, go, go—to the movies!
TOM: All right, I will! The more you shout about my selfishness to me the quicker I'll go, and I won't go to the movies!
AMANDA: Go, then! Then go to the moon—you selfish dreamer!
[Tom smashes his glass on the floor. He plunges out on the fire-escape, slamming the door. LAURA screams—cut by door.
Dance-hall Music up. TOM goes to the rail and grips it desperately, lifting his face in the chill white moonlight penetrating narrow abyss of the alley.
LEGEND ON SCREEN: ' AND SO GOOD-BYE...'
How does this scene affect the play?
It leads to the conclusion of the play and Tom’s closing speech where he admits that he is finally leaving.
It shows that Tom finally stops caring about what will happen to Laura in the future.
It demonstrates how Tom continues to emotionally detach himself from the situation at the apartment.
It leaves the question unanswered as to whether Tom really goes to the movies or goes drinking.
