August: Osage County Lesson Plan

Discuss what the audience learns about Violet and Beverly's relationship in this section. Were they merely hostile and unloving, or was their relationship more complicated?

This section reveals the deep complications and contradictions in Beverly and Violet's relationship. It appears that their relationship was toxic enough to drive Beverly to suicide, yet Violet reveals ways that they also understood each other and were loyal to each other. Their understanding arose from their common experiences of childhood suffering and substance addiction. Violet fiercely defends Beverly to her children, claiming that they could never understand the suffering he endured as a child,...