The Power in Harold Pinter's 'The Homecoming' Gareth Owen

Everyone in The Homecoming Thinks they Have 'the Power'. But who does have it?

Clearly no one in the house has 'the power'. The rivalry caused by the lack of a dominant force is the only reason the 'family' is able to function at all.

Max considers himself the dominant member of the family at the beginning of the play. At the beginning of act one he accuses Lenny of having the scissors, "what have you done with the scissors?" in a very predatory, offensive way. He is wearing a cap and carrying a stick as a sign to others in the house of his claim in the family as the physically powerful male. However Max is clearly unsure abut his power as he talks at Lenny, rather than with him, continuing his next sentence before Lenny decides to reply. He also later has to remind Lenny, and himself that "I could have taken care of you, twice over. I'm still strong" reinforcing to himself and attempting to persuade Lenny that he is the most powerful physical force in the house. On the otherhand, in this confrontation Lenny thinks he is the dominant force, because he considers that he is powerful because his pimping business means he is the primary breadwinner in the house. This is backed up by his...