How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Page.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used the New Directions edition of the play, published in 1971.
Quote #1
MAGGIE
Then Brother Man could get a-hold of the purse strings and dole out remittances to us, maybe get power of attorney and sign checks for us and cut off our credit wherever, whenever he wanted. (I.21.114-116)
Maggie is the only one fighting the battle against Gooper and Mae. She is acutely aware of their plan, even before they hatch it and relay it to the family. She does not want to be at the mercy of Gooper and Mae's power.
Quote #2
The Flynns never had a thing in this world but money and they lost that, they were nothing at all but fairly successful climbers. (I.25.219-221)
Despite Gooper and Mae's efforts to make Maggie feel like the outsider, Maggie and Mae are not so different after all. Both know what it's like to not have any money, and both are hoping they never have to be without it again. This moment also makes us realize just how carefully Maggie has paid attention to the plights and business affairs of others. She is attuned to the gossip that society gleefully churns out.
Quote #3
MARGARET
Big Daddy's made no will? Big Daddy's never made out any will in his life, and so this campaign's afoot to impress him […] (I.52.843-845)
The fact that Big Daddy's wealth is not safely protected or parceled out through a will creates insecurity for the rest of the family. However, drafting a will, in Big Daddy's mind, would involve surrendering to the notion of death, both socially and internally. He intends to outrun death. In this way, his wealth is more legendary than real, and in a household that is in many ways rotting, it is easy for us to doubt the sheer existence or size of this wealth.