Characters
Dodge [in his 70s]
This is the main and one of the most important characters in the play. He is in the middle of everything. He is sick and he has to put up with his annoying and watchful wife. He is very protective of his oldest son - Tilden. Dodge is addicted to whiskey and cigarettes. He also sneaks them out sometimes. Most of his time he spends watching televising, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. However, it wasn't always like that. He used to be a strong, successful and energetic leader of his family and farm. But after his wife conceived a child with their oldest son, he hasn't been the same since. This tragic mishap shamed him good and changed his life forever.Halie [in her mid 60s]
This is Dodge's wife. At the beginning, she seems like she is this quiet calm wife, causing no problems. She keeps herself away from her family and she imagines and fantasize about a better life than she already has. It seems like she is completely ignoring the nastiness around her. Halie is hypocritical and promiscuous. Although she might seem to you like a saint, she has affairs with the minister and most likely with other men as well.
Tilden [oldest son]
This is Halie and Dodge's oldest son. He is the one who had an incestuous affair with his mother. The body of their child is buried on their backyard. Tilden used to be a football palyer and his parents expected great things from him. But it didn't quite happen and Tilden went astray. Apparently he got into a trouble in New Mexico and was banned from the state. So he went back home.
Bradley [middle son]
This is Halie and Dodge's middle son. Unlike Tilden, he wasn't expected to do great thing in life. Supposedly, he is the one that got the least attention from his parents. When he was young, his one leg got accidentally cut off with a chainsaw. As an adult, he no longer lives with his parents but still visits them very often. Bradley is mean, violent and vicious man.
Vince [Tilden's son]
He is portrayed as a prodigal son who keeps searching for his roots, meaning and acknowledgment. He has a beautiful girlfriend - Shelly. One day he decides to take Shelly on a trip to see his father, Tilden. Along the way, they stop for a visit to see his grandparents, Dodge and Halie.
Shelly [Vince's girlfriend]
She is kind of an outside in this particular play. She is way too normal for them. By them I mean the rest of the family. Vince told her a little bit about his family. He gave her the idea that his family is this typical, happy American family, which is so untrue. Once she meets them, she is terrified and intimidated by them.
Father Dewis [Protestant minister]
This is the minister who hailed had an affair with. He has the smallest part in the play and as well as Shelly he is an outsider. He is inept and unable to dealt with the family issues. He is unwilling to even try and to provide a help. Halie tries to convince him to tell the City Council to put some statue that would honor her dead son, Ansel. Father Dewis represents the immorality and helplessness of the church.
