Wealth Theme Analysis

Wealth is the biggest issue for Margaret, Mae, and Gooper, bringing them together for Big Daddy’s birthday celebration. Mae and Gooper cozy up to Big Mama and Big Daddy, hoping to inherit the plantation, while Margaret desperately tries to keep the family from judging Brick’s alcoholism and her own childlessness, so that Big Daddy will still choose to hand his land over to his favorite son, Brick. Margaret, in particular, mentions that she has been poor before, and that avoiding that state is the source of her desperation—she also mentions that being poor has made her honest.

Big Daddy, for his part, describes wealth and greed as failed attempts to acquire immortality. Although he can buy European clocks, sex, and diamonds, he can’t buy more life, as his actual health report ultimately proves. Margaret’s final lie is also inspired by her desperation to acquire the family’s wealth—the moment that she finally stands up to Brick and throws out his alcohol is when Big Daddy’s inheritance is on the line; she will have their child, even if she has to manipulate Brick using his alcoholism.