English Final - Cat on a hot tin roof Flashcards
summary
Happens over the span of 1 day. There’s a family party. Brick and Big daddy have a conversation about brick’s drinking problem and his relationship with skipper. After Big daddy goes to bed, Mae, Gooper, Brick, and Maggie, tell Big momma that Big Daddy is actually dying of cancer. She calls for Brick and tells maggie to prepare him to take over the estate. Cooper and Mae are bitter and present Big Momma w a drafted will, which she rejects. Then she begs brick to give big daddy a grandson before he dies, so Maggie lies and announces that they’re pregnant. then maggie locks up brick’s liquor and makes him have sex with her so she can get pregnant.
characters
Maggie, brick, big daddy, big momma, mae, gooper, skipper
maggie
from a poor family; feels abandoned and completely alone
desperate for brick to love her; wants his attention; hurt by his indifference
slept w skipper - brick’s bff and gay lover
would rather stay in a terrible situation than be destitute on her own
wants what she can’t have - brick, kids
possible trophy wife to brick
brick
alcoholic; drinks to forget, escape reality
disillusioned bc of all the lying and bc skipper died
shamed by his sexuality
on crutches bc he tried to jump hurdles while drunk; wants to relive the past/go back to when he was a great athlete
loves skipper; his relationship w him was the best part of his life
maggie reminds him of skipper which is why he resents her
disgusted bc of all the lying in the world; he’s living a lie - disgusted with himself
indifferent about everything except for the fact that he’s gay
Big Daddy
dying of cancer, doesn’t know it
proud
built himself up from nothing; american dream - wants it for Brick too
ashamed that he can’t take care of himself - wants to go back to the time when he could
self-righteous
violent
doesn’t really love Big Momma
big momma
puts her nose in other people's business her husband doesn't tell her anything but she wants to know what's going on loves Big Daddy a ton hurt that he doesn't love her back wants what she can't have - Big Daddy
mae
married to Gooper, can have kids like it’s nobody’s business, schemes in order to secure the family estate
gooper
married to mae, big daddy’s oldest and least fav son, resents his parents love for brick, schemes w mae to try to get the estate
themes
facing your truth, accepting reality bottled up emotions, can't come to terms w their feelings/ don't think others will understand guilt/denial/self-acceptance putting on a facade mendacity - lying, deception self-interest family dynamic getting back to the past desperation - between rock and a hard place American Dream; building from nothing wanting what you can't have
