Tom's opening speech sketches the social background of the play and introduces themain characters. what basic information does tom provide in this speech about his family? about the gentleman caller? about the nature of the play itself?

Tom's opening speech is filled with information. Tom tells us that he is the play's narrator, he apprises us of the setting (1930s), and describes the plays other characters; his sister, mother and Amanda's gentleman caller, as well as providing a description of his absentee father.