Laura: The New Amanda

Though Amanda seems genuinely concerned about the future of her children, she is actually hoping their achievements will bring her satisfaction with her own life. In other words, Amanda is living vicariously through her children, more specifically her daughter Laura. On more than one instance, Amanda extensively recounts her past successes and happiness in direct comparison with those of Laura. "My callers were gentlemen-all! Among my callers were some of the most prominent young planters of the Mississippi Delta..." (Williams, 1238). Here Amanda goes on to explain in detail all her gentleman callers and their fates. She does this in response to her own disappointment in the lack of gentleman callers for Laura. Amanda can not bear to watch Laura grow up with a poor future just as her own turned out to be. Thus, for her daughters happiness, but predominantly for her own, she goes to every extent to find her daughter a worthy husband. Amanda's vicarious nature is illustrated again when she resurrects her old courting dress for Jim O'Connor's visit. She is reliving her own youth along with Laura.