Read this excerpt from Scene 7 of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.


JIM: I can't take down your number and say I'll phone. I can't call up next week and—ask for a date.

I thought I had better explain the situation in case you misunderstand it and—hurt your feelings…

[Pause. Slowly, very slowly, LAURA's look changes, her eyes returning slowly from his to the ornament in her palm.

AMANDA utters another gay laugh in the kitchen.]

LAURA [faintly] You—won't—call again?

JIM: No, Laura, I can't.

[He rises from the sofa.]

As I was just explaining, I've—got strings on me. Laura, I've—been going steady!

I go out all of the time with a girl named Betty. She's a home-girl like you, and Catholic, and Irish, and in a great many ways we—get along fine.

I met her last summer on a moonlight boat trip up the river to Alton, on the Majestic.

Well—right away from the start it was—love!

[LEGEND: 'LOVE!'

LAURA sways slightly forward and grips the arm of the sofa. He fails to notice, now enrapt in his own comfortable being.]

How does this scene affect the play?

A. It shows Jim’s deceitful intentions that he knowingly carries out on Laura.

B. It demonstrates the hope that Amanda has implanted in Laura’s consciousness about a potential suitor.

C. It describes how the experience of having a gentleman caller has changed Laura.

D. It leaves the question about whether Laura still has a crush on Jim unanswered.