This contrasts with Maggie who makes the only sustained contribution to their conversation, in an attempt to save their crumbling relationship "shouting above the roar of the water". Maggie also drops in complimentary phrases into the conversation such as "honey" or "baby" in an attempt to gain a reply, with some emotion from Brick. However this has no effect, as not only are Brick's replies short and emotionless, they are pernickety, and force Maggie to explain and justify everything. More than often Brick answers with pointless expressions such as "why d'ya?" or "don't they?" which frustrates Maggie even more causing her sometimes to snap at Brick.
As an audience some of the first images we gain of Maggie are very feminine and sensual ones as she "stands in a slip of ivory satin and lace". She is initially introduced as being "a pretty young woman," but this powerful asset of hers is almost useless towards Brick as he denies the one thing she has confidence in, sexuality and beauty, as she tries to tell him "I've kept my figure". As an audience we are presented with an image of Maggie as being “vulnerable.” This weakness contrasts with her strongest being her looks. Aware of this she tries to use jealousy against her husbands constant rejections as she says that Big Daddy is the one who takes notice of her sensual "shape" as he “always drops his eyes down my body…an' licks his old chops!" But even this does not make Brick the slightest bit jealous.
In Act 1, Maggie refers to how she is not living with Brick, but instead they “ occupy the same cage.” This statement implies that she is trapped like an animal, and that the relationship she is living through is cold. She frequently refers to a “ punishment” that she must live by, according to Brick grounds, which they agreed on. In a conversation she has with Brick, all of her frustrations are voiced and there is a strong entrapment and imprisonment image given.
The feminine way in which Maggie is described relates to the feline way in which she is also portrayed and presented. Maggie’s vulnerability is not only in Brick’s naivety towards her “figure” but also in society. She says,
“ I feel like all the time I’m a cat on a hot tin roof!”
By Maggie referring herself to a “ cat on a hot tin roof” she shows how she is living in a state of uncomfort; she is tense, anxious and jittery. Brick tells her to “jump off the roof” implying that she should just leave him. His response is cruel; he shows he is not bothered about her.
Maggie comes from a poor background and she has to “maintain some semblance of social position.” However she is guilty of committing “mendacity” as not only does she lie to herself in expecting to “revive” her and Brick’s sex life and relationship. Her lies have convinced her of this as she says,
“It’s going to revive again.”
Maggie truly believes in this happening and shows her strong determination. She loves Brick unconditionally and is determined that she will win the battle for the man she loves.
Maggie is a strong and dominant woman who shows her determination when she wants to tell Brick the whole story about what happened between her and Skipper. She says,
“ This time I am going to finish what I have to say.”
She is not even dampened by Brick’s threat of inviting everyone upstairs,
“ I’d go on telling you this in front of them all.”
She is not phased by the threat of violence that Brick imposes on her, threatening that he could kill her with the crutch.
Throughout the conversations between Maggie and Brick, Maggie seems to be the dominant figure. Her voice is “both rapid and drawling, always continuing a little beyond her breath" which contrasts with Brick and his very short emotionless “without interest" input in the conversation. He often questions Maggie and asks for justification of what she has said. It appears that Maggie is now used to thinking and speaking for Brick as she says to him, “Why you know what they’re up to.”
Maggie’s determination and jealousy to have children is fuelled by the thought that her and Brick “ being totally childless and therefore totally useless2 could result in them being cheated out of Big Daddy’s state. Her desperation and desire for children is shown when Big Mama approaches the topic insensitively,
“ Shot, Maggie, you just don’t like children!”
This angers Maggie as she replies,
“ I do so like children, I adore them!”
Her answer is truthful, she does want to have children; her husband however does not want them with her.
Maggie’s love for Brick is rarely in doubt and her constant effort to keep the relationship going. Brick is always rejecting her though and this disappointment sometimes makes her bitter.
In this act, Brick’s feeling become stronger and become more like hatred, this is the first time that Maggie is aware of it,
“ She catches sight of him in the mirror, gasps slightly.”
Here Brick tries to avoid her and begins “whistling slowly,” but Maggie has been shocked and so astonished that she does not know how to describe the look apart from saying, “ it froze my blood!” However, Brick denies any knowledge of what he is supposed to have done as he says, “ I wasn’t conscious of looking at you.” His response is hurtful towards Maggie.
Throughout the first act, we see Maggie treat life almost like a game, a game that she has to win. This is apparent when Brick provokes a “fearful” reaction in Maggie; she cannot bear to be beaten as she responds,
“ I’ve gone through this hideous transformation! Become hard, frantic!”
Brick does not reply to this, he ignores any knowledge of her speech,
“ Did you say something?”
Again his words are cruel, and Maggie attempts to evoke a reply from him,
“ Living with someone you love can be lonelier than living entirely alone if the one you love doesn’t love you.”
Brick does not let the matter take control over him as he says,
“ Would you like to live alone Maggie?”
She appears hurt and emotional at this, as she shouts back “No! God I wouldn’t!” She forcibly has to control her emotions here and returns to talking about ordinary matters. But the truth is that she has been hurt by what Brick has said to her. The emotional heartache can at some points get the better of her.
Throughout the act, Maggie is very complimentary to Brick, again this shows how maybe she is playing the game,
“ I always thought drinking men lost their looks but I was plainly mistaken.”
Even her complimentary tactics cannot sway Brick and his decisions, but her determination shines through, as she never gives up even on the most difficult situations.
At the end of Act 1, the relationship of Maggie and Brick seems very fragile and vulnerable. The reason why the two are still living together is because of Maggie’s sheer determination and loyalty to her husband although she is still afraid that Brick will “never make love to her again.”
Tennessee Williams ends the act in a crucial moment of uncertainty in the relationship between Maggie and Brick in order to build tension and keep the audiences attention. He leaves it to Brick’s last words, to undermine what has been leading to Brick and Maggie resolving their conflict. As Maggie says,
“ There is no reason why we cannot have a child.”
Brick’s cruel words determine this uncertainty for the rest of the play,
“ But how on earth do you imagine that you are going to have a child by a man that cannot stand you?”
Brick is cruel but Maggie is courageous. She is an honest woman and she knows that she is not the kindest person; her constant rejection has made her like this, but she knows that she will survive, as will hers and Brick’s relationship. Their relationship is intriguing and Maggie will survive for as long as she can, providing she can stay on this hot tin roof.
