| The narrative here is cramped and no obvious explanation is given of what happens between the father and the lover. Violence is implied but not described and, because all of the roles are sung by one voice, a listener without the libretto might easily be confused. This confusion is unfortunate given that this is perhaps the most important scene in the entire play: the episode in which Tommy is psychologically damaged by his parents with the suggestion that their actions cause his quasi-vegetative state. |