Margaret (Maggie) Pollitt

Margaret (Maggie) Pollitt, often referred to as "Maggie the Cat," is a resilient young woman who married into a wealthy Southern family despite her humble beginnings. Her difficult past has instilled in her a fierce will to survive. Feeling threatened by the bond between her husband, Brick, and his friend Skipper, Maggie accused Skipper of harboring romantic feelings for Brick. She attempted to seduce Skipper, an act that led to Skipper’s suicide and created a chasm between her and Brick. Amidst Brick’s alcoholism and lack of responsibility, as well as their childlessness, Maggie fears losing the Pollitt estate to Brick’s brother Gooper and his wife Mae. To secure her future, she deceitfully claims to be pregnant and manipulates Brick into intimacy by refusing him alcohol.

Brick Pollitt

Brick Pollitt is a troubled, young, alcoholic former football player tormented by the suicide of his close friend, Skipper. The complex and intimate friendship they shared becomes a source of guilt and confusion for Brick, especially after he rejected Skipper’s confession of love, which precipitated the tragedy. Brick harbors resentment towards Maggie for her role in Skipper's demise and is disillusioned by the deceit and machinations surrounding him within the family. Despite the manipulative environment, Brick remains indifferent to the inheritance battle over the Pollitt estate, yearning only for the escape provided by alcohol. He inadvertently reveals the truth about Big Daddy's terminal cancer in a heated moment, exposing him to the family’s web of lies and hypocrisy.

Big Daddy Pollitt

Big Daddy Pollitt is the commanding and affluent head of the Pollitt family. Known for his blunt and rugged demeanor, Big Daddy has long exerted control over his extensive plantation and family through sheer force of personality and considerable wealth. At sixty-five, he feels liberated from societal norms and expresses disdain for Big Mama, Gooper, Mae, and various social groups. He harbors affection for Brick and seeks to understand the root of his son’s troubles. The revelation of his terminal cancer, initially concealed as a "spastic colon," comes to light through Brick’s accidental disclosure. This realization shatters Big Daddy, reinforcing his belief in the pervasive deceitfulness of those around him.

Ida Pollitt

Ida Pollitt, commonly called Big Mama, is Big Daddy’s devoted wife, who endures his harsh criticism out of love, despite the emotional toll it takes. Her primary desire is to maintain family harmony and win her husband’s approval. Though she generally appears meek, she displays significant tenacity in resisting Gooper and Mae’s attempts to usurp control of the Pollitt estate, choosing to place her trust in Brick instead.

Gooper Pollitt

Known as Brother Man, Gooper Pollitt is Brick’s older brother and a lawyer in Memphis. He prides himself on being the reliable son, taking charge of the plantation’s affairs and believing he deserves to inherit when Big Daddy passes away. Despite fathering five children to please Big Daddy, his efforts often fall short. Gooper criticizes Brick’s lifestyle and tries to expose his negligence, hoping to secure Big Daddy’s favor, yet struggles against Brick’s honest neglect which Big Daddy oddly respects over Gooper’s sycophantic efforts.

Mae Pollitt

Mae Pollitt, known as Sister Woman, is Gooper’s ambitious wife whose past as a cotton carnival queen contrasts with her present role as a mother of five, soon to be six. Mae dedicates herself to producing grandchildren for Big Daddy, hoping this will help Gooper gain control of the estate. She is furious at Maggie’s false pregnancy claim but finds herself unable to challenge it successfully. Mae’s relentless pursuit of Big Daddy’s estate involves currying favor with him and Big Mama...