The Glass Menagerie: Hyperbole

      In the American drama, The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, I notice the perfect usage of a hyperbole to describe the love- hate relationship between Tom and Amanda.  To start, the mother-son duo undoubtedly and unconditionally love each other.  However, with the family's financial situation, Tom is forced to give up his dreams to support his family.  Amanda's genuine concern comes off as rude and pushy. Amanda's constant nagging and suspicion cause an extremely heated argument between Amanda and Tom.  Tom then goes on to say he is "leading a double-life, a simple, honest warehouse worker by day, by night a dynamic czar of the underworld..." (Williams).  This hyperbole is said to confirm that Amanda's assumptions are preposterous.  The exaggeration also shows Tom's imaginative character.  Moreover, no one believes that Tom goes to the movies every night to simply indulge in adventure through the screenplay.  This hyperbole also works to back Tom's testimony of where he goes at night by providing Amanda with an adventurous and sarcastic tale.