Act 3 Summary
Act 3, Scene 1
Early Saturday morning, just before Easter, Lady urges Val to get dressed and
leave the alcove because Jabe is coming downstairs and doesn't know Val is
staying there. Jabe arrives and disapproves of the new confectionery's
decorations. At that moment, a circus calliope plays, announcing the opening of
the Torrance Confectionery that night. Jabe cruelly reminds Lady of her
deceased father and reveals that he was part of the mob responsible for his
death. After Jabe returns upstairs, the nurse reappears, stating that he is
having a hemorrhage. Lady is left in shock by Jabe's confession.
Act 3, Scene 2
At sunset, Vee enters the store, claiming she has been blinded by a vision of
the risen Christ. She collapses, and as Val attempts to help her, her enraged
husband arrives. He commands Val not to touch her and questions him while Dog
and Pee Wee threaten him with knives. Talbott demands to see Val's guitar, but
when Dog reaches for it, Val leaps onto the counter and kicks their hands away.
Talbott warns Val that he has until sunrise to leave the county.
Act 3, Scene 3
Half an hour later, Beulah and Dolly notice that the confectionery has been
decorated to resemble Lady's father's orchard. Carol arrives, looking for
someone to drive her across the river. She has heard that Val is leaving that
night. Lady is surprised, and Val insists he is not leaving with Carol. Lady is
determined to proceed with the confectionery's opening that night, aiming to
revive her father's wine garden in spirit and prove her resilience. Val appears
with his luggage, deciding to leave due to the threats. Lady tells him she
won't pay his wages if he goes, but he decides to leave anyway. Lady seizes his
guitar and declares she will go with him, but they must wait until Jabe dies.
She tries to convince the nurse to give Jabe a lethal dose of morphine, but the
nurse refuses. The two women argue, and the nurse reveals she believes Lady is
pregnant. After the nurse departs, Lady confirms to Val that she is pregnant
with his child. She urges him to leave, warning him of the danger if he stays.
Jabe appears on the landing with a revolver and shoots Lady. He rushes out,
claiming Val shot his wife. Lady dies, and then men arrive, intent on killing
Val. One of them wields a blowtorch. They rush out, and anguished cries are
heard as they burn Val to death.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.