One aspect that is intriguing in this play is that three main characters of the play; Maggie, Gooper and Mae are often fighting, and not just between themselves. So what is the cause of this conflict? Why are they always fighting? Why is there tension in the family?

Maggie, Brick’s wife, could be fighting for several different reasons. This may be a very important part of her, because she came from a poor environment. Thus, Maggie wants to ensure that she won’t have to go back to being poor. To ensure that both Maggie and Brick are in Big Daddy’s will, she lies to everybody, even saying that she is pregnant. In this case, she isn’t just doing it for herself, but also for Brick, even though he doesn’t care whether he’s in Big Daddy’s will or not. Maggie also could be fighting for Brick’s love and attention. For example, in the first act of the play, Maggie is talking to Brick and he isn’t listening to what she is saying. Brick keeps asking “Did you say something, Maggie?’ Against Brick’s will, Maggie keeps talking to him. Maggie seems to be the kind of person who needs attention. So she could be fighting for Brick’s attention to ensure that she maintains her position in the family and is able to get closer to Big Daddy. And therefore assure that she and her husband stay in Big Daddy’s will.

During the whole play, Gooper, Big Daddy’s eldest son and Mae’s husband, is fighting for several reasons and still doesn’t get what he wants. For one thing, and maybe the most important, Gooper wants Big Daddy’s love, but Big Daddy loves Brick instead and doesn’t care for Gooper. Big Daddy never has and never will care for Gooper. He did everything that Big Daddy wanted him to do. He went to law school, got married, had six children, and still doesn’t get any of Big Daddy’s attention or love. He also wants his share of the will, which would be every thing that belongs to Big Daddy. Even when it comes to the will, Gooper won’t get anything or much, because Big Daddy prefers Brick. It’s apparent that whatever he wants, he will never get, because it involves Brick and Big Daddy. He fights for these certain possessions, because he should get Big Daddy’s property and money, since he’s the eldest son, and at least some of Big Daddy’s love, for he is still one of Big Daddy’s son. The audience can feel that Gooper thinks it’s unfair and, in a lot way, it is normal for him to think so.

Mae is her husband’s shadow or his other half, in a lot ways, because she supports everything he does or says and does what he asks her to do. She probably even thinks the same way as he does. She might be fighting more for Gooper’s sake and for the same reasons as he does. Mae is really helping Gooper achieve what he wants and has always wanted. She is always behind him and supports him. She even fights and hates Maggie, because she wants every thing to go to Gooper and thinks it’s unfair that the property and the money go to Brick, who is the youngest son, and to his wife. Mae thinks it’s unjust, because Gooper has done every single thing that Big Daddy wanted him to do and still doesn’t get anything, as mentioned earlier. Brick, on the other hand, is an alcoholic, the youngest son and gets everything. This is the irony. The character that seems least concerned about the family wealth, stands to benefit the most.

In Tennessee William’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”, Maggie, Gooper and Mae are fighting for similar purpose, but with different arguments. This play really shows how life is in certain families and the audience may or may not relate to the situation that the characters are living. The will is the focus of emotion and tension in the play. Big Daddy’s will is a big part of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”.