Brighton Rock Key Scenes

Brighton Rock - Key Scenes

Pinkie and Rose's First Date

On their first date, Pinkie and Rose discover that they’re both “Romans.” Their rearing in the Catholic faith becomes a touchstone for them, something they have in common that binds them from the beginning, but their unique perspectives on the way God works in the world could not be more different. Pinkie’s Catholicism is one of damnation and flames and torments. Rose has hope. She believes in Heaven and forgiveness and it is her steadfast, optimistic belief that allows her to fall in love with Pinkie and eventually become his wife. He leads Rose away from it so as not to be shaken from his purpose, which is to pump Rose for information and gain her loyalty. His advice to Rose—that she not get mixed up with the mob—shows just how naïve Pinkie thinks Rose is. He assumes she knows nothing about his identity and that someone as sweet and timid as Rose would never suspect that he is part of the very crowd he is warning her to avoid. 

Pinkie isn’t completely wrong in thinking Rose a naïve young woman. That she would be impressed by his talk of acid and alcohol is proof that she is not as worldly as he. Pinkie’s reaction to the sentimental song shows that he is not beyond entertaining romantic feelings for a woman; he is, however, totally resistant to letting his guard down in any way. Pinkie’s reaction to the sentimental song shows that he is not beyond entertaining romantic feelings for a woman; he is, however, totally resistant to letting his guard down in any way. “He held it tenderly as if it were a woman, swinging it gently this way and that, wooing it with his lips”. Rose’s character is beginning to be revealed. Her naivete is courtesy…