The premise of the play concerns the Turnover family, consisting of four adult children and their minor extended family who have all gathered to spend time with their terminally ill father Buford, who has become senile and is on the verge of death. Though their reasons for coming together appear specifically be mourn their father’s upcoming passing, they all appear selfishly more concerned with their father’s will to see who gets what after his passing. The driving conflict in the story involves the crippling dynamic between the family at large. Though each family member is truly concerned about their father's immanent passing, their insecurities amongst themselves and each other conflict with their outward feelings. Various elements of the …show more content…
The piano is played at the end of the play as well, just before the siblings decide to attend Buford’s funeral. They once again play the family song on the piano and sling along, but this time a spotlight is drawn over the piano as the play concludes. Symbolically, this showcases that after the tragedy they had just endured, the connection to family tradition helps bring the conflicting family together. The clothing worn by the characters is also symbolic of the archetypes they represent. Characters such as Mama Wheelis,’ middle daughter Sarah Lee and only son Orville wear casual clothing such as shirts, jeans and modest gowns, symbolizing their more passive casual personalities. Lurline, being more restraint due to her heavily religious beliefs, wears very modest dresses while in contrast Evalita and Harmony wear more revealing clothing reflecting their rebellious outgoing personalities. Marlene, Orville’s abused wife also wears outgoing and vibrant clothing to symbolize her need of attention, even constantly asking various characters throughout the play how she