Maggie's Character in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Essay

In Tennessee Williams, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the character Maggie exhibits strength and determination throughout the entire play. Maggie is constantly trying to impress Brick and win his dedication and love. This is because she is trying to conceive a child so she and Bricks position in Big Daddys household is assured. This appears to be an easy task due to the loving personality and gorgeous features that lie within the plays main heroine. However, due to Bricks inability to show affection towards Maggie, she begins to change her techniques to lure him. Additionally, Maggie is determined to reach her goal, will not accept no for an answer, and will do whatever it takes.

Maggie is introduced in the beginning of the play as a gorgeous young lady that could surely lure in any man. However, she is stuck with a retired football star that is an alcoholic and wants nothing to do with her. For example, Maggie, but how the hell on earth do you imagine that youre going to have a child by a man that cant stand you (Williams 29)? This quote shows Bricks hatred towards Maggie and that she will never conceive of his child. Furthermore, this resentment that is unleashed upon Maggie is not enough for her to let go. Maggie is unable to obtain Bricks attention but continues on being relentless. Living alone with someone you love can be lonelier then living entirely alone!-if the one you love doesnt love you (Williams 12). This quote shows how Maggie is trying to get sympathy, or even love and affection from Brick. Deep inside, she is hurt and will not quit until she gets her husband back the way he was. With determination, she continues on trying to please him in hopes of starting something intimate. For example she is always complementing him, I always thought drinkin men lost their looks, but I was plainly mistaken (Williams 12). Her endless attempts do not work and only result in Brick becoming abusive and angry with her. Bricks abusiveness is unleashed when Maggie trys to help Brick walk and he violently pushes her away. Despite these bursts of anger, Maggies strength and determination to have a child causes her to become more persistent and irritating towards Brick.

Despite Bricks lack of interest in Margaret, her level of interest in him only intensifies. She realizes that her attempts to capture his attention in a sexual manner are going nowhere. In order to cope with this, Maggie appears changing her outfits and posing in front of the mirror. She also starts dressing very provocative and could be viewed as a very seductive looking female. These different techniques, however, still do not capture Bricks attention. It is almost as if there is a Brick stuck between Maggie and Brick, hence the name Brick. This analogy hones in on the fact that what Maggie is trying to accomplish is going nowhere. Her desire to capture his attention results in a farther separation between them. His refusal to make her his desire resulted in a hard, nervous and bitter Maggie. She becomes so demanding and willingly strong for sexual attention that it results in harsh words stated by Brick. Maggie, you want me to hit you with this crutch? Dont you know I could kill you with this crutch (Williams27). Despite these harsh words stated by Brick, Maggie continues to seek sexual attention from him.

Finally, with no other way to win over his love in order to conceive a child, Margaret does something out of the ordinary. Since its Big Daddys birthday she decides to announce, A child is coming, sired by Brick, and out of Maggie the cat! I have Bricks child in my body, an thats my birthday present to Big Daddy on this birthday! (Williams78). This quote shows how important it is to Maggie that everyone knows she is pregnant by Brick. However, even though this news is false Maggie, knows what the result will be. Big Daddy happens to be dying of cancer and this news is just music to his ears. When Brick sees his fathers expression he knows he must go along with it. In order to fulfill Maggies farfetched lie, she throws all of his alcohol into the lawn. This feet, causes Brick to need more alcohol and without a ride from Maggie he had no way of getting it. Maggie uses Bricks alcohol addiction to her advantage and says, I told a lie to Big Daddy, but we can make this lie come true. And then Ill bring you liquor and will get drunk together (Williams 81). This quote, symbolizes how much determination Maggie exhibited in order to conceive Bricks child.

Maggies strength and determination eventually led to her and Brick having sex. She dealt with a man that was abusive and wanted nothing to do with her and overcame harassment. These harsh standards resulted in her doing something that wasnt honest but helped her conceive a child in the end. Maggies persistent strength and courage to not give up makes her the strongest characters of all the plays. She exhibited courage and determination throughout the entire play until the closing scene.