In The Homecoming, Harold Pinter suggests that there are two types of women: whores or mothers. The whore, he believes, can have little success in family life; the mother, on the other hand, can start a prosperous family. Pinter's statement is reinforced by the behavior of the characters Teddy and Max towards Ruth, as well as that of Ruth herself. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The character of Teddy is instrumental in representing Pinter's views on women and what constitutes an ideal, happy family. He reacts passively to Ruth's actions, for example: "I didn't say I found it dirty here", and is very careful to avoid confrontation; he wants Ruth to believe that he is happy to be home and that he is very considerate of her. He continually asks Ruth what she would like, if she is tired, etc., almost playing the role of an idealized, caring husband. When Ruth goes from mother to whore, Teddy acts cautiously because he is not willing to fight with Lenny, Joe and Max. During Ruth's transformation, there is no indication that Teddy reacts in any way; the lack of staging is particularly visible. He accompanies his family when they decide that Ruth will work as a whore, demonstrating his firm belief in family harmony. Teddy's American family also enters the equation, as this seemingly perfect family contrasts greatly with the problematic English family he visits. Pinter also uses Max to suggest that women are either whores or mothers. Throughout the play, Max changes his mind about which one is Ruth. At first, Max notices that Teddy brought in "a dirty washerwoman from the street", showing that he believes Ruth to be a whore. Later, however, he asks the crucial question "Are you a mother?" » After establishing that Ruth is the mother of three children, Max treats her like family. He remarks that she is "a charming woman" and must be a "first-rate cook", but this opinion does not last. However, once he sees her as a "pie" again, he continues to treat her like family - somehow he manages to have perceptions of both whore and mother , of the unlikeable person and of the familial, simultaneously as far as Ruth is concerned. Ruth is the primary vehicle through which Pinter portrays women and family in The Homecoming. She is the only woman in the room and is both a whore and a mother, although her attempt to be both fails as she reverts to her old ways. She asks permission to "sit", which shows her politeness and good manners, which give the image of the mother. Similarly, upon learning of Max, Joey and Lenny's plan to make her a "working whore", she comments that it is "a little bit" them. This consideration towards others refers to the image of the caring mother. On the other hand, Ruth's knowledge of the "rocks" and the "proposal" she makes to Lenny reveal the whore, as does the strange and violent nature of her directive to Lenny, telling him to "get lost". lay on the ground” so that she can “pour it down [her] throat”. In another contrast, Ruth tells Teddy "not to become a stranger" - a caring mother - but fails to consider the implications of leaving her children in America - perhaps not exactly like a whore, but certainly not like a mother. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a trial..