Modern Drama Essay

Eddie tells Beatrice (his wife) that her cousins have arrived. This pleases Catherine and Beatrice. Beatrice is worried about the arrangements and this is because of Eddie. She says ‘I am just afraid if it don’t turn out good you’ll be mad at me’. This shows that Eddie must have shouted at Beatrice before. This also shows that Eddie takes charge around the house with everything. Eddie has power over everyone in the house. Catherine interrupts and says ‘Well didn’t tell him about me yet. ‘ Beatrice tries to distract Eddie from what she says. But Eddie becomes interested and starts asking questions straight away when he hears Catherine mention herself. Catherine says that she will leave school for a job. Eddie is angry but gets interrupted by Beatrice, Beatrice sticks up for Catherine, and Eddie doesn’t like this. Catherine explains the detail and yet Eddie finds another excuse. He ‘don’t like that neighbourhood over there’. He explains how he wants the best for her and how the men are with young women. The problem is that Eddie thinks that the best thing that Catherine could do is to stay at home with him at home and see or speak with no other men. Beatrice tries to reason with him over the job but Eddie refuses to give in until she confronts him with his desire. She says ‘ you gonna keep her in the house all her life? ‘ Eddie is insulted and disgusted. He becomes angry but when Catherine enters he changes his mood. He doesn’t want to let Catherine see that he does not get along with Beatrice. He gives her what she wants. He agrees with her going to work. This soon gets out of hand and Eddie becomes upset. He uses reverse psychology on Catherine. He tells speaks the opposite of what he wants. He says to Catherine, ‘And then you will move away. That’s life. And you’ll come visit on Sundays, then once a month, then Christmas and New years finally. ‘ This upsets Catherine and without knowing she tells him what he wants to hear. This automatically changes the mood of Eddie. Eddie knows in a way that he has got what he wanted. He changes conversation straight after as before. They start to talk about the day gone by whilst eating their meal. After the meal Eddie asks Catherine when she starts her new job. Catherine knows Eddie is uncomfortable with talking about this. Eddie shows a tear in his eye. Catherine tries to make Eddie feel better by saying that she is not going far. Catherine tries to comfort him. Eddie enjoys this and tries to gain sympathy from her a lot of the time. To settle himself he looks for a cigar. Catherine goes to get one for him and then offers to light it. Eddie feels close with her while she is doing this; he enjoys it while she lights the cigar. Their faces are close and they gaze into each other’s eyes. This shows Eddies true feelings; this is the point where his deep love for her is shown. He looks at her no longer as a relative does but as a lover does. Eddie takes some time to think while Catherine and Beatrice are in the kitchen.