In terms of Brick and Maggie’s relationship there isn’t one. Maggie, as I have stated before, is seen as a ‘cat’ and their marriage is likened to a ‘hot tin roof’. Tennessee uses this strong clear metaphor to highlight how the marriage was so broken down and how Maggie is trapped. In act one we see the relationship between Brick and Maggie and it reveals a lot about their friendship with others and each other. Brick is often unseen yet has a contrasting ease, ‘contrapuntal leisure’. Yet Maggie is very opinionated and seen as bitchy; we learn that this cattiness was formed from Bricks rejection. ‘It is constant rejection that makes her humour ‘bitchy’ ’. Frequently in this play we see Maggie talking constantly with Brick in the distance not in this world ignoring Maggie. But even with Brick taunting and teasing her, ‘Would you like to live alone, Maggie?’ Maggie is still with Brick hoping and praying he will be with her emotionally and physically. Even though her husband is an alcoholic Maggie is outwardly aware of this; this demonstrates that Maggie loves Brick for who he is. ‘ Place that’s famous for treatin’ alcoholics an’ dope fiends in the movies!’ Maggie truly adores her husband and puts him on a pedestal ‘You’ve kept in good shape’. As well as this, Maggie repeatedly change the subject after Brick is cruel and compliments him to keep him happy or at least not leave her, ‘so enviably cool’ ‘you were a wonderful lover’. From this we can without a doubt notice that in this relationship Maggie’s feelings of devotion and adoration are not reciprocated from Brick. This is metaphorically shown by the fact that when Brick drops his crutch Maggie offers to be his crutch, ‘Lean on me’, but Brick refuses and wants his crutch to be his alcohol. This is very symbolic in representing the lack of communication between these two characters and how it has broken down. Bricks apparent indifference is not indifference at all it is because he is not interested: so Maggie is in a marriage with very little love and expression between the pair of them. Maggie has to lure Brick by hiding his alcohol; this is not normal for any marriage. They should be physically attracted to each other but Maggie only feels cruelty not love. All Maggie can do is be a ‘trophy wife’ and keep up appearances.
In contrast to Maggie and Brick we have Gooper and Mae who have a marriage that out shines the main characters by a long way. If we look at these two characters in terms of their communication they have a very strong relationship in which talking to eachother is clearly seen. In Maggie and Bricks relationship, Maggie is at the for front doing the talking but with Mae and Gooper Mae looks after her children and Gooper is the head of the house hold.
With Big Daddy’s diagnosis, Mae and Gooper are very sneaky in the fact they have talked to each other and decide they should take over his state. ‘I just didn’t think we ought t’ take any chance of Big Daddy hearin’ a word of this discussion’. This displays that they have discussed this and planned the papers; ‘ Here’s your briefcase, Gooper, honey.’ They know each other but also when either one is attacked by a member the other immediately steps in to defend them. This demonstrates that this relationship is solid or at least some kind of affection is shown, ‘Gooper never thought of as a duty, he just did it.’ In comparison to Brick who lets Mae insult Mae ‘beautiful husband of hers won’t go to be with her!’ doesn’t defend for her whereas Maggie will protect Brick, ‘Well, I wish you would just stop talking about my husband.’ Both of them have the same aim and they scheme together to secure Big Daddy’s estate. This takes partnership and unity to plan such a big take over, although this is not seen as loving this does exhibit that Mae and Gooper have a far better level of communication then some of their family members. As it is apparent in Act Three Mae and Gooper declared they would take over the estate, with the persuasion of Big Mama they finish each other sentences off. Plus, with finishing off each other’s sentences, they are very quick with their remarks following one and other like a comedy act. ‘Behold the conquering hero comes!’ ‘The Fabulous Brick Pollitt! Remember him?’ The pair of them is likened to a comedy act, as there cruel remarks on Brick and Maggie are continuous and very quick. This double act is in unity with their jibes; this depicts this relationship to be one of huge communication and highly ruthless. Both have the same aims and attitudes, which will obviously help, stop conflict. Being similar in their calculating plans and cruelty these two attacks Maggie and Brick as a pair so they are stronger and show Big Daddy just how responsible they are. Therefore with Mae and Gooper they have a high level of communication on wanting to take over Big Daddy’s estate and belittling Maggie. But surprisingly Gooper does communicate to his mother in Act Three his honest feeling towards his brother, and how he knows Big Daddy does not favour him. ‘I was just barely good enough to spit on and sometimes not even good enough for that’. This is not cruel merely Gooper saying ‘I’ll tell you the truth’ we see the dynamics of communication between Gooper and Big Mama from nice to face value to actually be honest for once.
Finally, with Big Daddy’s health in the for front as he does have cancer many of the members of this play are very conniving in wanting to get as much money as possible. They keep this from Big Mama and Big Daddy so they can plot to get Big Daddy’s Estate. Whispers behind their backs, conspiracies and lies behind the family’s backs: this family have no communication and are seen to just want money. For example Reverend Tooker’s constant repetition of money that Big Daddy should give, ‘Oh but St Paul’s in Grenada has three memorial windows’ ‘Gus Hamma’s family gave in his memory to the church’. This demonstrates that Reverend Tooker is quite hypocritical and associates with Big Daddy for his money. For example Mae and Gooper are very nice to Big Daddy and use their children to put on a big show and try to ‘impress’ Big Daddy; like most of the birthday guests.
In looking at the characterisation of the communication in the play “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” it is clearly shown that this family and guests do not interact with one another well and often more than not lies and deceit are behind some characters. Brick and Maggie barely have a marriage, Gooper and Mae are trying to take over Big Daddy’s estate, Reverend Tooker wants money and Big Daddy is unaware he is dying. They all have problems with communicating so they lie and keep secrets; the biggest secret of all Big Daddy’s fate of death.