On Claire

"We submerge our truths and have our sunsets on trouble waters." -Claire

Claire is labeled as the stereotypical alcoholic by almost all of the characters within the play, but she serves as much more than that. Claire is ubiquitous. Even when she's not present in the story, she is. Claire's status within the family allows her to be always present but not always acknowledged. She knows everything about the family. Even Agnes knows this when she says:

"Claire could tell us so much if she cared to, could you not, Claire. Claire, who watches from the sidelines, has seen so very much, has seen us all so clearly, have you not, Claire. You were not named for nothing." (Albee 81)