Though he tried to leave his family behind, his memory of his mother and sister continues to haunt him. He tells the audience that for all of the years since he left, he has been pursued by the memory of Laura. He talks about time being the "longest distance between two places," and his long search to find something that he himself seems unable to name.
This closing speech is one of the most famous moments in all of Williams' work, and indeed one of the most haunting and beautiful moments in all of American theatre. As he gives this final speech, Amanda and Laura are visible through a transparent fourth wall that drops down into place in front of them. Tom, as narrator, then addresses the audience from the fire escape, telling us that soon after that night he went down the fire escape one last time and left St. She accuses him of selfishness, and says that he never thinks of them, "a mother deserted, an unmarried sister who's crippled and has no job." Infuriated, Tom leaves. Angered by her accusations and not willing to put up with her foolishness, Tom tells her that he is going to the movies. She is visibly shaken the evening has been expensive for the Wingfields, and her dreams for her daughter have been shattered. She accuses Tom of playing a practical joke on them, by intentionally bringing in another woman's fiancé to disgrace them. He also mentions that no one at the warehouse knows about the engagement. When Amanda tells Jim that he should come again, he tells her about his plans to marry his current girlfriend. Amanda rushes in, only to hear Jim's announcement that he has to leave. Then she goes to the Victrola and winds it up. She gives him the broken unicorn as a souvenir. Laura's face reveals terrible desolation. Awkwardly, he admits to Laura that he is engaged. Immediately, he seems to regret the kiss. He tells her that she is pretty, and Laura blushes with shy bliss over this unexpected praise. Jim speaks admiringly of Laura's character, and then begins to praise her looks. She can pretend the unicorn had an operation to make it feel less freakish. Jim apologizes but Laura tells him not to worry. He tries to help her shed her self-consciousness, and the two of them begin to grow close - but suddenly, they jostle the table and knock over the unicorn, breaking off its horn. When he hears the music of the Paradise Dance Hall, he asks her to dance with him. They put the unicorn down on a different table, for "a change of scenery." Laura bashfully admires Jim, while Jim grows increasingly flirtatious. They look closely at a little glass unicorn, remarking on how the unicorn must feel odd due to its uniqueness. He calls money and power the cycle on which democracy is built. He speaks of the numerous courses he is taking, and his interest in programmatic methods for self-improvement. Jim tries to give Laura advice about raising her self-esteem, and talks about his plans to get involved with the nascent television industry. Indeed, she was too shy to bring the program to him back in high school, but she has kept it all these years. Laura speaks admirably of Jim's voice, and he autographs the program of the show he was in, The Pirates of Penzance. Jim reveals that he was never engaged, and that his old girlfriend was the one who put the announcement in the yearbook.
They have a friendly conversation by candlelight. She always felt that the brace on her leg made a clumping sound "like thunder," but Jim insists that he never noticed it. They reminisce about the class they had together, a singing class to which Laura, because of her leg, was always late. She reminds him that they knew each other in high school, and that he used to call her "Blue Roses." Jim feels ashamed that he did not recognize her at once. After Jim tells her that the fuse box looks fine, Amanda suggests that he go spend time with Laura in the living room.Īs Amanda and Tom do dishes in the kitchen, Laura warms up to Jim, who is charming enough to put her ease. She lights candles and asks Jim to check the fuse box. Amanda, unfazed, continues to be as charming as she can. Half an hour later, as dinner is finishing up, the lights go out.