Marie
Caring
Marie is the central character in the play. She comes across as a strong and caring person. Her house is the focal point for her friends and neighbours.
The stage directions at the beginning of scene one state that in Marie’s house there is a kettle always hot for tea
, symbolising how people feel welcome there. At the very start of the play she shows concern for Nora:
Oh Nora, you didn’t need to carry that over; Oh here, Nora, leave them then!
Marie lets Deirdre into her house to shelter, offers her a cup of tea and allows her to shower. She then gives her a change of clothes.
In the club Cassie grabs Marie’s hand and notes that it is as steady as a rock.
To Nora this is because she’s got a clear conscience
; to Cassie it’s either that or she’s in a coma
. To the audience, however, steady as a rock effectively sums up Marie’s role in the play as someone who appears to cope with life and can be relied upon by others.
Although Cassie frequently mocks Marie for her concern for others, she often benefits from this herself. Cassie confides in Marie, as in scene three when she tells her she plans to leave. In the club, when Cassie tells Marie that I’ll go crazy
if her husband Joe comes back, Marie offers her support:
I won’t let you. . . I’ll just be across the road.
