Long Day's Journey Into Night Lesson Plan

What do you make of the conversation between Mary & Cathleen at the beginning of Act III? What purpose does Cathleen serve as a character in the play?

Cathleen is a willing and open listener for Mary. Although students may read Cathleen's character as simple-minded or ignorant, there's also an admiration in Cathleen's approach to Mary -- Cathleen clearly thinks the woman has interesting stories, ideas, thoughts, and feelings, and is willing to engage with her, even when she's high, in a way the men in her family struggle to do without finding themselves spiraling. This conversation reveals important elements of Mary's character: her worries about their house and...