The Homecoming

Ruth is The Homecoming’s only female character. Describe her journey over the course of the play. Is her story one of triumph or of tragedy?

Pinter contrasts the UK and the US in this play. From your reading of The Homecoming how would you characterize postwar Britain? How did it differ from postwar America? Can you think of other works of art from the same period that show either the persistence of World War II or culture’s emergence from its shadow?

Critics have categorized Pinter’s use of the unspoken into three devices he uses most regularly: ellipses (“…”), the stage direction “Pause,” and its longer cousin still, “Silence.” Using examples from the text, how would you interpret the different value of these devices? What is happening to characters in these moments? Why might Pinter choose a briefer or longer quiet moment in his writing?

Pinter dedicates a subplot in the play to the character MacGregor, a thuggish friend of Max’s from his past. What does MacGregor’s story (and the surprise conclusion to it that Sam delivers) say about the theme of masculinity?

Did Teddy’s behavior ever surprise you? What about those moments made them unusual for you? What impression do these moments give you of Teddy as a character?

Pinter was writing at a moment of upheaval as a postwar generation began to assert its influence socially and politically. Two characters of different generations are Max and his middle son, Lenny. How do their outlooks and behavior differ? In what ways are they the same? Does one of these characters, and the generation he represents, have the upper hand by the end of the play? What evidence can you find that Pinter thinks this is either a positive or a negative development?

Some critics have questioned whether Teddy and Ruth are really married. Can you find evidence that might support this claim? How would your understanding of the play change if these two characters were not in fact married?

Based on his portrayals of both Jessie and Ruth, what does Pinter seem to be saying about the role of matriarchs? Will Ruth be the same kind of mother and wife figure that Jessie was?