Brick's Crutch 

- Symbolic of the physical but also emotional damage that has resulted from Brick’s inability to conform to social standards;

  • Stage direction: “Brick moves downstage with the shuffle and clop of a cripple on a crutch.” (Williams II.124)

- Symbolic of his inability to stand strong and sure in himself; illustrates his dependence on others’ views and judgments


- A phallic symbol of his deficient heterosexuality; when it is taken by Maggie and Big Daddy it effectively cripples his manliness

Brick and Maggie's Bed 

- Symbolic of the marital tensions between them; they never make love with each other. 

  • Stage direction: “Snowy surface of the bed” (Williams I.22) – snowy meaning white, symbolic of purity and consequently lack of sex in their marriage

- The bed symbolizes Maggie's sexual desire for Brick (she wants to have his child), but the untouched sheets represents Brick's refusal to sleep with Maggie

 - Their bedroom was previously inhabited by two homosexual lovers, Jack Straw and Peter Ochello, further symbolizing Brick’s unspoken sexual conflict that contributes to his marital conflict with Maggie

The Cat

- Cats are referred to throughout the play as nervous creatures 

  • Big Daddy: "They (the women) look nervous as cats." (Williams II.81)

- Maggie refers to herself as a cat, a cat on a hot tin roof; is a symbol of her crisis 

- Maggie is in an uncomfortable and unstable position as she loves a man who refuses to return her affection, attempts to hold onto her social and financial position in the Pollitt family, and must please Big Daddy in order to inherit the wealthy Southern estate with Brick

  • Maggie: "I'm like a cat on a hot tin roof!" (Williams I.31)