Everyone wants to be wanted. This is especially true in the case of Maggie, the female protagonist of Tennessee Williams' play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Maggie's annoying sister-in-law Mae always flaunts the fact that she has five kids (and a sixth on the way) while Maggie has none. In a Southern home where Mae is viewed more favorably for these children, Maggie is ostracized for her lack of life, so much so that she can't truly be herself. This is just one of the many challenges Maggie faces. Even though she faces many challenges that prevent her from being socially accepted, Maggie perseveres on the path to being wanted while still being herself. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Maggie's lack of children is the biggest obstacle on her path to social acceptance. The main cause of this obstacle is Mae and her children, whom Maggie calls “neckless monsters” (Williams 17). Mae and her husband, Gooper, already have five children while Maggie and Brick have none. Reviewer Dawn B. Sova suggests that Mae and Gooper may not have the purest intentions when having children, but may only have them to ensure they inherit Big Daddy's estate . (Sova) The fact that she doesn't have children only begins to bother Maggie when she arrives at Big Daddy's, her father-in-law's, plantation for her birthday. It was then established that Big Daddy was dying of a malignant tumor. Through his hard work, Big Daddy has amassed a fortune that Mae and Gooper hope to inherit. However, since Brick has always been the favorite son, Big Daddy wants to leave his great fortune to him rather than Gooper. Motivated by the idea of ​​the enormous wealth that could be acquired, Mae seeks to undermine Maggie by showing off her children. Mae's aggression begins with "constant petty remarks and insinuations about how [Maggie and Brick] haven't had children, are totally childless and therefore useless!" » (Williams 19). In addition to their mother's verbal attacks, Mae's children also reminded Maggie that she did not have children, as one of the children yelled at Maggie, "You're just jealous because you can't have babies! (62). At such a young age, the little girl could only think that if it had been specifically taught to her. It's clear that Mae is trying hard to make Maggie look bad in every way possible. However, Mae's advances aren't the only cause of Maggie's lack of social acceptance. The other major reason lies in her relationship with her husband, Brick. The strained relationship between Maggie and Brick is the cause of her lack of children, and therefore her lack of social acceptance. It is evident from the beginning of the play that Maggie is the more active participant in this relationship and Brick seems to be along for the ride. Brick never outwardly confirms or denies that he is in love with Maggie, but he is loyal to her. The conflict in the relationship arises when the needs of both are examined: Brick doesn't need anything from Maggie but Maggie needs Brick's love. Brick realizes what is happening and tries to make up for it by giving Maggie the opportunity to cheat on him, which he thinks would bring her happiness, but it only makes her more unhappy. Although Maggie and Brick share a bond, the love Maggie has for Brick is not reciprocated. Smith-Howard and Heintzelman noted that "Brick's love for Maggie was usurped by another: the memory of his beloved Skipper, which Maggie exposed" (Smith-Howard, Heintzelman) and as a result, Brick blame.