ABSTRACT
Where The Caretaker presents the most subtle and complex handling of the ethic that Pinter had yet achieved, Night School presents the least. Although it offers a novel take on ethics and criminality, the one-act Night School contains one of Pinter’s more realistic and stereotypical depictions of the dominant/subservient theme. Walter, a petty forger, returns from a short prison term to reclaim his bed and room in the home of his maiden aunts Annie and Milly, only to discover his claim challenged by the present occupant, Sally Gibbs. While she maintains she is a teacher going to night school, she may work as a nightclub hostess. Walter’s attempts to regain his room are ironically successful. By showing Sally’s picture to the nightclub owner Solto, who then wins her away from Wally, Wally regains his room. But he loses the woman who has fled.
