"I know so well what becomes of unmarried woman who aren't prepared to occupy a position. I've seen such pitiful cases in the South - barely tolerated spinsters living upon the grudging patronage of sister's husband or brother's wife! - stuck away in some little mousetrap of a room - encouraged by one in-law to visit another - little birdlike women without any nest - eating the crust of humility all their life!
Is that the future that we've mapped out for ourselves? I swear it's the only alternative I can think of! [She pauses.] It isn't a very pleasant alternative, is it? [She pauses again.] Of course - some girls do marry." (2.34, Amanda).
The mother daughter relationship in this play is sickening. How do you forget that your daughter is physically and mentally handicapped? She's obviously not going to lead a normal life. Marriage is not a duty, but a gift that is optional in women's lives. Ruth and Amanda will be just find without a gentleman caller. This is only encouraging the young girl to derrive all of her self-esteem from male attention, which will in turn cause her to have low self esteem. Marriage isn't for everyone, but it has to be in this family because all of the pretty and popular girls are doing it. It's all so cliche and petty.
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