Act I: Part One

Maggie and Brick fight over the behavior of Gooper’s (Brick’s brother) family, including his wife Mae. Maggie and Brick’s relationship is on the rocks, as Brick has lost romantic interest in her, and the two are displeased with the loss of their own physical appearance.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act I: Part One

Act I: Part Two

Maggie and Brick argue about their living conditions and how Brick forgot Big Daddy’s birthday, when Mae appears and chastises Maggie. Big Mama enters with news that Daddy’s health report says he has nothing more serious than a spastic colon, and when she asks Maggie if Brick has been drinking, Maggie plays dumb. Maggie looks at herself in the mirror and insists that Brick will be attracted to her once more, and she expresses her refusal to leave him.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act I: Part Two

Act I: Part Three

Maggie brings up her intimate relationship with Skipper and goes on to insinuate that Brick and Skipper were once lovers. Brick threatens to kill her, but Maggie continues to goad Brick. After Brick throws his crutch at Maggie, Dixie rushes into the room and tells Maggie that she is only jealous because she cannot have babies.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act I: Part Three

Act II: Part One

At Daddy’s birthday party, Mama warns Daddy to not speak so crudely, causing Daddy to say Mama will not be taking over the plantation because he just has a spastic colon. As the family exits, Brick and Daddy begin to talk, when Daddy notices someone by the door and lashes out at Mae for spying. Daddy tells Brick that if he and Maggie are not sleeping together, Brick should get rid of her, while also pointing out Brick’s drinking problem.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act II: Part One

Act II: Part Two

Daddy tells Brick that now that he knows he does not have cancer, he plans on finding a new woman. Brick explains that he is not peaceful, while Daddy muses that the prospect of death made him so blind, he did not notice Brick’s alcoholism. Daddy proclaims that he will get Brick in line, and he jerks Brick’s crutch from under him, causing Brick to collapse in anguish.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act II: Part Two

Act II: Part Three

Daddy tells Brick they must talk about the “thing “that has been left unspoken: Brick’s relationship with Skipper. Brick explodes and says that Maggie is to blame for Skipper’s ruin.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act II: Part Three

Act II: Part Four

Brick reveals that he stopped speaking to Skipper after Skipper drunkenly made a confession to him. Daddy realizes that Brick drinks because he is disgusted with himself. Brick tells Daddy that everyone has been lying to him and that Daddy in fact has cancer, a revelation that leads Daddy to curse his family.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act II: Part Four

Act III: Part One

After Daddy goes to bed, Mama tries to gather the family to talk, but Brick is drinking. Gooper confesses that he has always resented Daddy’s preference for Brick. Gooper and Mae disgust Mama when they present her with a drafted will, which she rejects, and she tries to embrace Brick.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act III: Part One

Act III: Part Two

Maggie announces that she and Brick are going to have a child, but Mae accuses Maggie of lying. A dying Daddy bellows from the other room. Maggie declares that now that Brick is drunk, they should conceive, going as far as locking up his liquor until he has satisfied her. When Maggie says she loves him, Brick sadly negates her proclamation.

Read a full Summary & Analysis of Act III: Part Two