1. Act 1 Scene 1: At the graveyard

2. Analysing the characters in Act 1 Scene 1
Maggie Polpin - Sharon
Katie Polpin - Kirsten
Gert Polpin - Grace
Maurice Polpin - Tanya
Mick Polpin - Debbie
Teddy Heelin - Jennifer
Mary Madden - Eduarda
Mrs Madden - Roberta
Mr Byrne – Dyneffar
Old Man - Caroline
Old Woman - Jessica
Priest – Sarah

3. Maggie Polpin “Big Maggie”
In act 1 scene 1 we are introduced to the main character in the play, Maggie Polpin
In act 1 scene 1 we get a great insight into Maggie’s character.
Some words to describe Maggie’s character in Act 1 Scene 1 would be
Powerful
Controlling
Unemotional
Violent

4. Task:
Based on the words listed which are used to describe Maggie in act 1 scene 1, find quotes to prove that these are the qualities to describe her character.
Example answer:
In act 1 Scene 1 we see Maggie Polpin as a violent woman when she slaps her daughter Gert and shouts at her saying “How dare you talk like that to your mother!” this is an act of violence and is a key moment in the play which highlights Maggie’s aggression.

5. Act 1 Scene 2: What we know so far:
This scene takes place the night of the funeral in the Polpin shop.
Maggie’s children are waiting to discuss the will their father was to have left to them.
A feud arises amongst Maggie and her children because Maggie claims that Walter never left a will.
Mick (The youngest and most forward of the Polpin sons) gets angry about the issue and threatens to leave home.
Katie tells Maurice and Gert about the affair their father was having with Mol Sonders a year ago, and she claims this is why he didn’t leave a will to them.

6. Homework:
After reading Act 1 scenes 1 and 2, analyse the relationship Maggie has with her daughter Katie. Do you think this is a loving mother- daughter relationship?
Give reasons for your opinion based on evidence from both scenes.
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7. Layout:
After reading Act 1 scene 1 and 2 of Big Maggie I have analysed the relationship between Maggie and her daughter Katie so far in the play. In my opinion the relationship between mother and daughter from these two scenes so far is not a loving one at all. I would describe the relationship between Maggie and Katie to be hostile, violent and manipulative.
My reasons for why I think the relationship between Maggie and her daughter Katie is a hostile one is because in act 1 scene 1 we see_______________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________
In act 1 scene 2 we see Maggie acting violently towards her daughter when_____________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Also in Act 1 scene 2 we see how Maggie easily manipulates Katie when __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Overall it is clear to describe this mother – daughter relationship as hostile, violent and manipulative because __________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________