Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams
"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" is a play by Tennessee Williams that revolves around the Pollitt family as they gather to celebrate Big Daddy's sixty-fifth birthday. The narrative unfolds through the interactions between family members, primarily focusing on the complex relationship between Brick, a former athlete struggling with alcoholism and unresolved grief, and his wife, Maggie, who feels abandoned and desperate for his affection. As secrets about Big Daddy's terminal illness and family tensions emerge, the play explores themes of mendacity, desire, and the struggle for authenticity in a world filled with lies.
Maggie reveals her frustrations with Brick's emotional detachment and their childlessness, indicating a deep yearning for connection amidst familial rivalry, particularly with Gooper and Mae, who are scheming to secure Big Daddy's wealth. The tension escalates as Brick confronts his feelings of guilt over the death of his friend Skipper, whose unsaid emotions add another layer of complexity to Brick’s struggles. The play culminates in a confrontation of truths that challenge the characters' identities and relationships, culminating in Maggie’s surprising announcement of her pregnancy.
Through its rich characterizations and poignant dialogue, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" examines the intricate dynamics of family, the aching need for acceptance, and the painful realities that lie beneath the surface of human interactions.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams
First produced: 1955; first published, 1955
Type of work: Drama
Type of plot: Psychological realism
Time of plot: Mid-twentieth century
Locale: Mississippi
Principal Characters
Big Daddy Pollitt , a plantation ownerBig Mama , his wifeBrick andGooper , their sonsMaggie , Brick’s wifeMae , Gooper’s wife
The Story
The Pollitt family assembles to celebrate Big Daddy’s sixty-fifth birthday. While Brick showers, Maggie describes the birthday dinner, telling how badly Gooper’s five children behaved and how their mother, Mae, used them to impress Big Daddy. Brick comes out of the bathroom on crutches, having broken his ankle jumping hurdles.
Maggie informs Brick that a medical report arrived that day with the news that Big Daddy is dying of cancer. She also explains that Mae and Gooper want to send Brick to a hospital for alcoholics so that they can control Big Daddy’s money. Maggie believes, however, that Big Daddy dislikes Gooper and his family and that he has a “lech” for her.
Maggie admits that she has become “catty” because Brick refuses to sleep with her and she is lonely. She does, however, intend to win back his love. After hinting that Brick’s problems stem from someone named Skipper, she asks Brick to drink less. He replies that he needs to drink until he hears a “click” in his head that gives him peace. Maggie complains that her current situation makes her as tense as “a cat on a hot tin roof.”
Big Mama enters to say how happy she is; she was told that Big Daddy has a spastic colon, not cancer. Brick retreats to the bathroom as she enters. After asking about Brick’s drinking, Big Mama tells Maggie that sexual problems must be causing their marital troubles and childlessness.
When Big Mama leaves, Maggie again urges Brick to sleep with her; he suggests a divorce instead. Maggie returns to the subject of Big Daddy’s cancer, explaining that the family will tell Big Mama the truth later. Then, ignoring Brick’s anger, she recounts the story of Skipper, Brick’s college friend whose homosexual love Brick cannot or will not return. Maggie says that she forced Skipper to face his feelings for Brick. To prove her wrong, Skipper tried to make love to her but could not. He later died of drink. Maggie reminds Brick that although Skipper is dead, she, Maggie, is alive and able to conceive a child. Brick asks how she plans to do that when he hates her.
At that moment, the family enters, bearing Big Daddy’s birthday cake. Big Daddy becomes annoyed that others, especially Big Mama, appear to be trying to run his life. Since he no longer believes he is threatened by a terminal illness, he announces that he is resuming control of the family. Hurt, Big Mama realizes that Big Daddy never believed she loves him. When she tells him that she loves even his hatefulness, Big Daddy says to himself that it would be funny if that were true.
Eventually, the others drift out, leaving Brick and Big Daddy alone. Although he wants a serious discussion with Brick, Big Daddy talks instead about his trip to Europe. Brick wonders why communication is so difficult between him and Big Daddy. Big Daddy admits that he is afraid of cancer and that he is not ready to die. When Brick acknowledges his alcoholism, Big Daddy asks why he drinks. Because of disgust with the world’s “mendacity,” Brick answers, a reason Big Daddy does not accept. Most lives are based on lies, he says, and Brick must live with this fact. Big Daddy suggests that Brick is drinking because of guilt over Skipper’s homosexuality and death. Brick angrily protests that he did not share Skipper’s feelings or even discuss them; when Skipper tried to explain over the telephone, Brick hung up. That, then, is the real reason for Brick’s drinking, Big Daddy says: Brick is disgusted with himself because he refused to face his friend’s truth. Brick retaliates by telling Big Daddy the truth about his cancer. Shattered, Big Daddy leaves, damning all liars as he goes.
In the original ending, the family and the doctor enter to tell Big Mama about Big Daddy’s cancer. She at first refuses to believe them. Brick, meanwhile, goes to the balcony to drink, but he returns as Gooper tries to persuade Big Mama to sign legal control of the plantation over to him. Angrily, Big Mama refuses. As her final answer, she shouts Big Daddy’s favorite word, “crap.”
Big Mama then urges Brick to give Big Daddy a grandson. To everyone’s surprise, Maggie announces that she is pregnant. Though Mae and Gooper disbelieve the news, they cannot disprove it and finally leave. At that moment, Brick hears the “click” in his head. Maggie refuses to allow him this escape and throws away his crutch, pointing out that she emptied the liquor cabinet. As she turns out the light, Maggie assures Brick that she does love him. Brick says to himself that it would be funny if that were true.
In the Broadway production ending, the family, after much preparation, tells Big Mama the truth about Big Daddy’s cancer. While she tries to digest the news, Gooper explains why Big Mama should give him legal control of the estate. After dismissing Gooper’s legal plans with Big Daddy’s favorite word, “crap,” Big Mama reminds Brick and Maggie that Big Daddy hopes they will have a son.
The loud talk brings Big Daddy back to the room. He relates a crude joke about a fornicating elephant, perhaps to remind Brick that sex is natural and necessary. Maggie then announces her pregnancy. Although Mae and Gooper refuse to believe her, Big Daddy professes to do so. When Brick and Maggie are at last alone, Maggie throws his liquor off the balcony while he watches with growing admiration. Finally, Brick and Maggie sit together on the bed as Maggie vows to use her love to help restore Brick to life.
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