Literary Snapshots ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ ©RHP 13

Comprehension Questions Act One

1. What are our first impressions of Maggie as she calls the children ‘no-neck monsters’?
Maggie expresses her jealousy of Gooper and Mae's children by
calling Dixie a "no-neck monster."

2. Why is Brick on crutches, and what does this reveal to the audience?
In Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, not only Brick's disablement but also his crutch acts as a narrative prosthesis by signifying
his gender role failure and his alcoholism, as well as pointing to both homosocial and homosexual relations.

3. Why does Maggie refer to Brick as being like a Greek legend?

Also, Brick's attractiveness makes him seem more like an idol or god that is unaffected by normal things.

4. Discuss Maggie's speech about Brick's silence concerning Skipper?

Brick blames Maggie for Skipper's death.

5. Why does Brick refuse to sign Big Daddy's birthday card?

he hasn't drunk enough to get the click in his head that keeps him peaceful.

6. Discuss the significance of Maggie’s archery trophy?

she won in an archery contest at Ole Miss is emblematic of her relationship with Brick and his family

7. What is the purpose of the telephone conversations with Miss Sally?

Miss Sally calls Big Daddy's house from Memphis to ask about her brother's health.

8. Why did Big Daddy and Big Mama buy so much on their holiday overseas?

it’s because they think that their lives would be longer

 Literary Snapshots ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ ©RHP 14

Comprehension Questions Act One

9. Maggie refers to her ‘fatal error’. What is it and why is it fatal?

Maggie believes that she made a fatal error when she told Brick about Skipper trying to have sex with her.

10. What was Skipper's attitude towards homosexuality?

he tries to forget the fact that he is gay with drugs, and he isn’t honest to himself

11. How do Gooper and Mae communicate with each other?

Gooper and Mae have secret, intense communication with each other, which often involves
gestures. Maggie notices this underhanded communication style.

12. Why is Big Mama constantly invading the privacy of others?

Big Mama lacks healthy boundaries. She believes the private affairs of her children are her affairs as
well.
Big Mama invade the privacy of Maggie and Brick by coming into their room and making accusations
to Maggie about her not satisfying Brick in bed.