Arsenic and Old Lace: Analysis of Major Characters
"Arsenic and Old Lace" is a dark comedy play that revolves around the Brewster sisters, Abby and Martha, elderly women who engage in a seemingly charitable but sinister practice of poisoning lonely men who seek shelter in their home. Abby is characterized as a kind-hearted woman deeply involved in church activities, while her sister Martha embodies traditional Victorian charm, both presenting an outward appearance of innocence. Their nephew, Mortimer Brewster, a theater critic, grapples with the shocking revelation of his aunts' crimes, leading him to reconsider his engagement to Elaine Harper, the daughter of the local minister. Mortimer's brother, Jonathan, is a murderous figure on the run, exacerbating the family's complicated dynamics as he seeks to evade capture with the help of Dr. Einstein, a disheveled accomplice. Other characters, including Officer O'Hara and Mr. Witherspoon, contribute to the comedic chaos as they interact with the Brewsters, unaware of the darker truths lurking beneath the surface. Themes of insanity and the macabre are interwoven with humor, creating a unique exploration of morality, family loyalty, and the absurdity of life. The play balances these elements, inviting audiences to reflect on the nature of good and evil within a family context.
Arsenic and Old Lace: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Joseph Kesselring
First published: 1941
Genre: Play
Locale: Brooklyn, New York
Plot: Dark comedy
Time: 1940s
Abby Brewster, an elderly woman in Brooklyn, New York. Described as a plump darling in her late sixties, Abby seems to be a paragon of a kind old maid, committed to charity work and the church. However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that the family's history of insanity has not skipped over her. She and her sister, in a spirit of charity, poison the poor, lonely men without family relations, who come to rent a room from them.
Martha Brewster, Abby's sister. An old-fashioned, elderly woman with Victorian charm, Martha wears her blouses with a lace collar that rises to the top of her neck. As with her sister, Abby, Martha is a charitable old woman, committed to bringing peace and comfort in the form of eternal rest to the poor, lone souls who come to their door seeking a room to rent. Her actions prove that she too belongs in the Brewster family of the criminally insane.
Teddy Brewster, nephew of the Brewster sisters. Teddy is insane and lives in a fantasy world in which he is Theodore Roosevelt. He is like a small child playing pretend, where the staircase is San Juan Hill, Panama is in the basement, and the victims buried there have all succumbed to yellow fever. The locals who know Teddy participate in his world, saluting him and conversing with him as though he really is President Roosevelt.
Mortimer Brewster, nephew of the Brewster sisters. A theater critic who works for a New York newspaper, Mortimer can be a bit full of himself, and is often condescending to his fiancé, Elaine. However, thinking that everyone in his family is insane, he tries to break off his engagement after discovering that his aunts are murdering poor, unsuspecting souls. In the end, he is relieved to learn that he is not a biological son of the Brewster family. Maybe there's a chance he is not destined for insanity. Much of the play's comedy revolves around Mortimer trying to protect his aunts from themselves.
The Reverend Dr. Harper, the local minister and neighbor to the Brewsters. Reverend Harper is a bit concerned that his daughter, Elaine, is dating a man, Mortimer, who attends so much theater, something akin to depravity in his world.
Elaine Harper, Reverend Harper's daughter. Anxious to begin her life with Mortimer, Elaine is clueless about the murder and insanity in the Brewster household. While her fiancée's condescension seems to roll right past her, she is practical and often defies his wishes.
Jonathan Brewster, nephew of Brewster sisters, Mortimer's brother. Jonathan is an evil murderer who must change his appearance on a regular basis, (by having it surgically altered) in order to avoid being captured by the police. He currently looks like Boris Karloff, something that agitates him, sending him into a rage every time someone mentions the resemblance. (In the original Broadway production of the play, Boris Karloff played Jonathan.)
Dr. Einstein, a middle-aged man of German descent. Disheveled and ratty in appearance, Dr. Einstein is an alcoholic who speaks with a heavy German accent. He is Jonathan Brewster's partner in crime, providing plastic surgery makeovers for Jonathan so he can evade the police. His latest work was inspired by his watching a movie while drunk, then performing his surgery on Jonathan. He is more reticent and careful, less brutal, than Jonathan.
Officer O'Hara, a police officer and a playwright wannabe. Little does Officer O'Hara know when he checks in on the Brewster sisters, he will meet the famous theater critic, Mortimer Brewster. He begs Mortimer to help him with the play he has been writing over the last ten years. Mortimer is happy to oblige because he anticipates Officer O'Hara will be useful in getting Jonathan arrested and out of their lives. O'Hara takes advantage of the situation when he finds Mortimer bound and gagged. Leaving him tied up, O'Hara forces Mortimer (who has been resistant), to listen to the plot of O'Hara's play, which takes all night. Being so self-involved, O'Hara never questions why Mortimer is all tied up.
Mr. Witherspoon, the superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium. An elderly disciplinarian, Mr. Witherspoon is the superintendent of the sanitarium where the Brewster sisters have arranged to have Teddy committed, upon their death. But when Witherspoon arrives at just the right time, he has all the paperwork to take Teddy and both of the Brewster sisters to their new Happy Dale home. The curtain falls as Witherspoon has just had a sip of the Brewster sisters' homemade elderberry wine.
Officer Klein, a local police officer who helps the Brewsters deliver to their charities.
Officer Brophy, a local police officer who helps the Brewsters deliver to their charities.
Mr. Gibbs, a potential boarder/victim of the Brewster sisters.
Lieutenant Rooney, a gruff New York police lieutenant.
Mr. Hoskins, the dead man hidden in the Brewsters' window seat. Mr. Hoskins has the distinction of being the latest victim of Abby and Martha Brewster's “charity” that sends recipients to a peaceful, eternal rest.
Mr. Midgely, the first victim of the Brewster sisters'charity.
Mr. Spenalzo, Jonathan and Dr. Einstein's murder victim.