The Homecoming
Pinter's play illustrates the many ways power makes itself felt in afamily, from the traditional power of the father to the often overlookedpower of the mother. Initially, it seems as if Max, the father, exerts themost power over his family in his own cruel way. He mocks his brother Sam,"Max. When you find the right girl, Sam, let your family know, don'tforget, we'll give you a number one send-off, I promise you. You can bringher to live here, she can keep us all happy. We'd take it in turns to giveher a walk round the park. Sam. I wouldn't bring her here" (Pinter 15).However, it soon becomes clear the real power in the family w
Thefamily is not whole without a woman, but the family is not normal, and sonone of the relationships are normal, and neither is Ruth's eventualdomination. Ruth is all-powerful in the play, and the menrecognize their weaknesses and allow her to take over. Ultimately, however, it is Ruth that exerts her power over all themen, when she consents to stay with them and be their "mother/lover. as Jessie, thematriarch, and Ruth slips quite easily into her place. " Itis clear the boys have little power in the family, and they do not exertwhat they have. That is the ultimate message of this play. He is powerless against the two heads of the family, Max andRuth. The entire family is twisted, and so are their relationshipswith each other. Ruth's power is demonstrated repeatedly throughout the play. Everyone is trying to become whole again,but to become whole men, they need a woman, and this is the way of lifeforever.
Common topics in this essay:
Ruth Ruth's,
Sam Max,
Ultimately Ruth,
,
Initially Max,
power family,
wield power,
exerts power,
|
Acceptance Essays
