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[In his utterance of this word, we gauge the wide and profound reach of the
conventional mores he got from the world that crowned him with early laurel.]

BIG DADDY: I told Mae an' Gooper--

BRICK: Frig Mae and Gooper, frig all dirty lies and liars!--Skipper and me had a clean, true
thing between us!--had a clean friendship, practically all our lives, till Maggie got the idea
you're talking about. Normal? No!--It was too rare to be normal, any true thing between two
people is too rare to be normal. Oh, once in a while he put his hand on my shoulder or I'd put
mine on his, oh, maybe even, when we were touring the country in pro-football an' shared
hotel-rooms we'd reach across the space between the two beds and shake hands to say
goodnight, yeah, one or two times we--

BIG DADDY: Brick, nobody thinks that that's not normal!

BRICK: Well, they're mistaken, it was! It was a pure an' true thing an' that's not normal.

[They both stare straight at each other for a long moment. The tension breaks and both turn
away as if tired.]

BIG DADDY: Yeah, it's--hard t'--talk....

BRICK: All right, then, let's--let it go....

BIG DADDY: Why did Skipper crack up? Why have you?

[Brick looks back at his father again. He has already decided, without knowing that he has
made this decision, that he is going to tell his father that he is dying of cancer. Only this
could even the score between them | one inadmissible thing in return for another.]

BRICK [ominously]: All right. You're asking for it, Big Daddy. We're finally going to have
that real true talk you wanted. It's too late to stop it, now, we got to carry it through and
cover every subject.

[He hobbles back to the liquor cabinet.]

Uh-huh.

[He opens the ice bucket and picks up the silver tongs with slow admiration of their
frosty brightness.]

Maggie declares that Skipper and I went into pro-football after we left 'Ole Miss' because
we were scared to grow up...

[He moves downstage with the shuffle and clop of a cripple on a crutch. As Margaret did
when her speech became' recitative', he looks out into the house, commanding its attention
by his direct, concentrated gaze--a broken, 'tragically elegant' figure telling simply as
much as he knows of the 'Truth']
--Wanted to--keep on tossing--those long, long!--high, high!--passes that--couldn't be
intercepted except by time, the aerial attack that made us famous! And so we did, we did,
we kept it up for one season, that aerial attack, we held it high!--Yeah, but----that summer,
Maggie, she laid the law down to me, said, Now or never, and so I married Maggie....

BIG DADDY: How was Maggie in bed?

BRICK [wryly]: Great! the greatest!

[Big Daddy nods as if be thought so.]

She went on the road that fall with the Dixie Stars. Oh, she made a great show of being the
world's best sport. She wore a--wore a--tall bearskin cap! A shako, they call it, a dyed
moleskin coat, a moleskin coat dyed red!--Cut up crazy! Rented hotel ballrooms for victory
celebrations, wouldn't cancel them when it--turned out--defeat.... MAGGIE THE CAT! Ha
ha!
[Big Daddy nods.]

--But Skipper, he had some fever which came back on him which doctors couldn't explain
and I got that injury--turned out to be just a shadow on the X-ray plate--and a touch of
bursitis.... I lay in a hospital bed, watched our games on TV, saw Maggie on the bench next
to Skipper when he was hauled out of a game for stumbles, fumbles!--Burned me up the
way she hung on his arm!--Y'know, I think that Maggie had always felt sort of left out
because she and me never got any closer together than two people just get in bed, which is
not much closer than two cats on a--fence humping.... So! She took this time to work on
poor dumb Skipper. He was a less than average student at Ole Miss, you know that, don't
you?!--Poured in his mind the dirty, false idea that what we were, him and me, was a
frustrated case of that ole pair of sisters that lived in this room, Jack Straw and Peter
Ochello!--He, poor Skipper, went to bed with Maggie to prove it wasn't true, and when it
didn't work out, he thought it was true!--Skipper broke in two like a rotten stick-- nobody
ever turned so fast to a lush--or died of it so quick.... --Now are you satisfied?

[Big Daddy has listened to this story, dividing the grain from the chaff. Now he looks at
his son.]

BIG DADDY: Are you satisfied?

BRICK: With what?

BIG DADDY: That half-ass story!

BRICK: What's half-ass about it?

BIG DADDY: Something's left out of that story. What did you leave out?

[The phone has started ringing in the hall. As if it reminded him of something, Brick
glances suddenly toward the sound and says:]

BRICK: Yes!--I left out a long-distance call which I had from Skipper, in which he made a
drunken confession to me and on which I hung up!--last time we spoke to each other in our
lives....
[Muted ring stops as someone answers phone in a soft, indistinct voice in hall.] BIG

DADDY: You hung up?

BRICK: Hung up. Jesus! Well--

BIG DADDY: Anyhow now!--we have tracked down the lie with which you're disgusted
and which you are drinking to kill your disgust with, Brick. You been passing the buck.
This disgust with mendacity is disgust with yourself.
You!--dug the grave of your friend and kicked him in it!--before you'd face truth with
him!

BRICK: His truth, not mine!

BIG DADDY: His truth, okay! But you wouldn't face it with him!

BRICK: Who can face truth? Can you?

BIG DADDY: Now don't start passin' the rotten buck again, boy!

BRICK: How about these birthday congratulations, these many, many happy returns of
the day, when ev'rybody but you knows there won't be any!

[Whoever has answered the hall phone lets out a high, shrill laugh; the voice becomes
audible saying: 'no, no, you got it all wrong! Upside down! Are you crazy?' | Brick
suddenly catches his breath as he realises that he has made a shocking discl

ANALYSIS FROM ONLINE

“Frig Mae and Gooper, frig all dirty lies and liars!”

Defiance and Rebellion: Brick's exclamation of “frig” conveys a raw defiance against
societal expectations and familial pressures. This vulgarity serves not only to express his
contempt for Mae and Gooper but also reflects his internal struggle with dishonesty and
betrayal. Brick's resistance to conforming to conventional relationships emphasizes his
disillusionment with the world around him, showcasing his rejection of the lies that
permeate his family dynamics.

Theme of Truth vs. Falsehood: This line sets the stage for Brick's ongoing conflict with the
concept of truth. His insistence on the purity of his relationship with Skipper juxtaposes
the “dirty lies” of his family, underlining the tension between genuine emotional connection
and the facades maintained by those around him. Brick's declaration positions him as an
outsider in a world built on pretense, emphasizing his desire for authenticity amidst a sea
of deception.

“Normal? No!—It was too rare to be normal, any true thing between two people is too rare
to be normal.”
Rarity of Authenticity: Brick's assertion that true connections are "too rare to be normal"
underscores the rarity of genuine relationships in a society rife with superficiality. His
emphasis on the abnormality of such bonds reflects his yearning for a world where
emotional honesty is valued over conventional norms.

Existential Reflection: This line encapsulates the existential crisis Brick faces, as he
grapples with the societal implications of his friendship with Skipper. His refusal to accept
societal norms challenges the audience to reconsider their definitions of normalcy in
relationships, ultimately advocating for a broader understanding of human connection that
transcends societal expectations.

“It was a pure an' true thing an' that's not normal.”

Clarity Amidst Chaos: Brick's insistence on the purity of his bond with Skipper serves as a
poignant moment of clarity amidst the chaotic familial dynamics. The repetition of “pure”
and “true” emphasizes his desperation to assert the validity of their relationship against
the backdrop of societal judgment.

Conflict with Societal Norms: This declaration highlights the conflict between personal
truth and societal norms, reinforcing the idea that authenticity is often perceived as
deviant. Brick's assertion challenges the audience to question the societal constructs
surrounding friendship and love, prompting a deeper exploration of what constitutes a
meaningful connection.

“Why did Skipper crack up? Why have you?”

Parental Dynamics: Big Daddy's inquiry about Skipper and Brick's mental states reveals
the intense pressure within the family structure. This line underscores the cyclical nature
of trauma and the burdens that familial expectations impose on individuals.

Catalyst for Revelation: The question serves as a catalyst for Brick’s eventual confession
about his illness, signifying a turning point in their relationship. It encapsulates the theme
of vulnerability within familial ties, suggesting that confronting uncomfortable truths is
necessary for healing and understanding.

“It's too late to stop it, now, we got to carry it through and cover every subject.”

Imminent Confrontation: Brick’s acknowledgment of the inevitability of their conversation

signifies a moment of acceptance regarding his relationship with his father. The phrase
"too late to stop it" conveys a sense of urgency and foreboding, hinting at the difficult
truths that will surface.

Theme of Truth and Consequences: This line encapsulates the overarching theme of truth
throughout the play, suggesting that avoidance only prolongs suffering. Brick's
commitment to confronting their issues reflects a deeper desire for reconciliation and
understanding, even in the face of painful revelations.

“a broken, 'tragically elegant' figure telling simply as much as he knows of the 'Truth'”
Tragic Heroism: This description of Brick positions him as a tragic figure, embodying both
vulnerability and resilience. The juxtaposition of "broken" and "elegant" reflects the
complexity of his character, suggesting that beauty can exist in moments of despair.

Search for Truth: The emphasis on Brick's simplicity in conveying truth underscores his
struggle with articulating his emotions amidst the chaos of his life. This line resonates with
the broader theme of existentialism, highlighting the tension between understanding and
expressing one's reality in a world filled with illusions.

“Maggie, she laid the law down to me, said, Now or never, and so I married Maggie.”

Conformity to Expectations: Brick's admission of succumbing to Maggie’s ultimatum

reflects the pressures of societal expectations surrounding marriage and masculinity. The
phrase “laid the law down” implies a loss of agency, suggesting that his decision was
more about obligation than desire.

Theme of Resentment: This moment reveals Brick's underlying resentment towards both
Maggie and the institution of marriage. It highlights the internal conflict between societal
roles and personal authenticity, illuminating the complexities of Brick's character and his
relationships.

“She made a great show of being the world's best sport.”

Performance vs. Authenticity: This line critiques Maggie’s efforts to maintain a facade of
supportiveness, suggesting that her actions are more about performance than genuine
affection. The phrase "great show" implies a theatricality to her behavior, emphasizing the
play's exploration of the masks individuals wear in their relationships.

Illusion of Normalcy: By portraying Maggie's behavior as a performance, Williams invites

the audience to question the authenticity of relationships built on societal expectations.
This line serves as a commentary on the illusions of normalcy, suggesting that the
characters’ struggles are often obscured by their desperate attempts to conform.

“He, poor Skipper, went to bed with Maggie to prove it wasn't true, and when it didn't work
out, he thought it was true!”

Tragic Misunderstanding: Brick’s reflection on Skipper’s actions reveals the tragic

consequences of misunderstanding and societal pressures. This line encapsulates the
destructive nature of denial, suggesting that Skipper’s attempt to prove his masculinity led
to his downfall.

Exploration of Identity: This moment delves into themes of identity and sexual orientation,
highlighting the societal expectations that compel individuals to conform to norms. Brick’s
insight into Skipper’s motivations invites the audience to reflect on the complexities of
male relationships and the societal constructs that shape their identities.

“You dug the grave of your friend and kicked him in it!”
Burden of Guilt: Big Daddy's accusation serves as a powerful indictment of Brick's
emotional detachment and self-destructive behavior. This line encapsulates the heavy
burden of guilt that Brick carries, emphasizing the weight of unspoken truths and
unresolved feelings surrounding Skipper's death.

Theme of Responsibility: This moment underscores the theme of responsibility within

relationships, suggesting that avoidance and denial can lead to profound emotional harm.
Big Daddy's words resonate as a call to confront the truth, urging both characters to
acknowledge their roles in the tragedy that unfolded.