though I believe three clauses appear contrived and false. Pinter is forcing his audience to realize that there is something happening beneath the surface that seems patronizing. The repetition of "fond" suggests more than just a platonic fondness Mac held for Jessie. Lenny's response to this outburst is unsurprising, hinting that this could be a common eruption. This does not incline the audience to sympathize with Max due to his crude and violent words about his deceased wife! Realism does not necessarily mean the audience empathizes with the characters.
             Pinter's sporadic realism is undermined through the frequently exaggerated subtexts. Jessie's subtextural involvement is displayed when Sam wants "to make something clear about Jessie", "I want to. I do. When I took her out in the cab, round the town, I was taking care of her, for you. I was looking after her for you, when you were busy, wasn't I?" Pinter draws attention to this unrealistic extract through the repetition of "I" indicating that Sam is trying obsessively hard to convince Max that he always tried to be a decent brother to Max.
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