Da

Da Summary | Act 1, Part 1 Summary

As the play opens, Charlie sits at the kitchen table of his childhood home in Ireland, sorting through some papers. His friend Oliver comes by to offer condolences on the recent death of Charlie's father. They talk about the funeral, how the death was sudden and unexpected, and how Charlie was in London when it happened. Their conversation shifts to the subject of their own lives, and they comment on how they haven't seen each other for fifteen years, compare notes about who has how many children, and reminisce about their childhoods - old expressions they used, movies they saw, and girls they dated. Charlie refers to a girl named Maureen who always believed that Oliver would be a great man. Oliver becomes quiet for a moment; then, as Charlie talks about how he used to model himself on a movie star, Oliver talks about his ambitions for the future, referring to a self-improvement course that he had taken. Charlie says his "da" (an Irish term for father) had always been fond of Oliver. Da suddenly appears at this point, says he never liked Oliver, and adds that if there was room in his grave he'd roll over in it. As he disappears, Oliver gets ready to leave and asks whether Charlie can help him get Da's house, since he and his wife have been on a list for house ownership for a long time and have had no luck on their own. Charlie says there's nothing he can do. Oliver leaves, and Charlie calls him a vulture.

Da reappears. Charlie tries to make him go away, but he remains, chatting about the funeral and the weather. He notices that Charlie doesn't have a cup of tea, and even though Charlie protests he's got a full one right beside him, prepares to pour him one. Charlie comments to us how he's seen this whole routine before, and watches as Da fumbles with the teapot because it's too hot and too heavy for his arthritic hand. He ends up putting the teapot in the middle of the floor, and then sits in his armchair for a smoke. Charlie tries again to get rid of him, saying he's gotten rid of all his belongings, and that once he's done sorting out all his papers he's going back to London. Da doesn't budge. Charlie tells him that Drumm was right, referring to a day in his childhood when Drumm had come to give him a job reference.

We see that earlier scene play out, as Charlie's mother comes in, shouting for Young Charlie to come downstairs and telling Da that when Drumm arrives, he's to keep quiet. Charlie's younger self, Young Charlie, appears, and it's clear that he and Charlie can't stand each other. Mother tries to get Young Charlie to change into a clean shirt. He refuses and speaks disrespectfully to her. She slaps him and pulls the shirt over his shoulders. Charlie comments that Young Charlie never did stand up to Da and Mother. Drumm arrives, and Da goes out to meet him, while Mother tells Young Charlie to behave with good manners. Young Charlie complains that Drumm is only a clerk, but Charlie reminds him that Drumm is a Chief Clerk. As Mother and Da greet Drumm, Young Charlie comments to Charlie that Mother and Da always "crawled," but before Charlie can respond, Mother and Da bring Drumm in.