Pinter's The Homecoming

In Pinter's The Homecoming, we are treated to the dynamic of a dysfunctional family that exhibits violence, invective, sarcasm and sexuality as it common methods of interaction. After a number of years in America, Teddy returns home to his family in London with his new bride, Ruth. Teddy's father Max and his brothers and uncle reside together though some like Max's brother, Sam, only make periodic visits. Max and his sons have lost their mother, Jessie. Because of this, when Teddy returns home with Ruth, the male members of the family basically posit the values of "mother" on her. However, as we see in the unfolding of events, Ruth lacks the typical characteristics associated with the value of "mother", and the men seem to view the role of "mother" as a cross between wife and whore.

The Homecoming quickly introduces us to the family members, a group whose typical interaction is filled with sarcasm, hostility and invective. When Max asks Lenny, a pimp, for the newspaper and Lenny does not respond in kind, Max lifts his walking stick and points at him, "Don't you talk to me like that. I'm warning you" (Pinter 1989). Though the threats are often and empty, this sets the stage for the dynamic of violence and sarcasm that represent family relations.

In this misogynistic family, women are viewed poorly. They are either seen as "bitches" or "whores." Even when Max reminisces about his deceased wife Jessie's good qualities, he is still sexist and insulting,

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