Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

5 Pages 1293 Words

Jennifer Sebik
EC2-1PM
Essay #4- “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof”
April 13th, 2004


The dominant morality in Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” can not be discussed in terms of a single, easy-to-understand theme. Rather, I detected a number of disturbing themes in this play which, unfortunately, also seem to be present in our modern society. These themes explain much of the behavior we see today, both in our elected officials and in our own private lives. They include the willingness to engage in back-stabbing and flattery to get what we want, the attempt to escape reality by indulging in alcohol and drugs, the tendency for married couples to remaining together in meaningless or even violent relationships, and the tendency of people who become materially wealthy to turn into evil people. One of the most obvious moral conflicts in “Cat on a Hot Tin roof” is visible in the campaign by Gooper and Mae to gain the favor of Big Daddy, while at the same time discrediting Brick and Margaret. They try to twist the facts in order to portray themselves to Big Daddy as the most qualified heirs for the inheritance. For instance, they try to imply that just because they have five children with a sixth on the way, they are therefore responsible family people who will take good care of the plantation. At the same time, they cleverly argue that because Brick and Margaret have no children, they would not be responsible in managing a large estate.
Gooper and Mae act as a public relations team, flattering Big Daddy while tearing down their competitors at every opportunity. They excel in back-stabbing and flattery, yet they are always careful to maintain the appearance of being polite and civilized. I don’t think we have to look very far in our own world to see the consequences of a society which approves of back-stabbing and flattery as a way of “getting ahead.” All the world’s newspaper headlines are full of stor...