Ezra Character in Mourning Becomes Electra:
General Ezra Mannon is a self-made man. Though we are unable to see much of his character into action yet we are made aware of the high esteem he holds in the general public and the town through the chorus like people of his town. The play opens with the praises for General:
"This town's real proud of Ezra".
They discuss how he made all his wealth. While they all like Ezra, none of them seems to be of a good opinion about his wife, Christine. The very name of Christine brings unhappiness and troubles in the life of Ezra Mannon.
Ezra is on the front and is expected to return to the town soon and he does return earlier than expected but merely to meet his death. At first his wife fools him about Adam Brant's relationship with their daughter Lavinia. Later during night Ezra blames her of lying to him about love since their wedding night. He says:
"You were only pretending love! You let me take you as if you were a nigger slave I'd bought at auction! You made me appear a lustful beast in my own eyes!--as you've always done since our first marriage night".
Christine bursts out:
"You want the truth? You've guessed it! You've used me, you've given me children, but I've never once been yours".
The quarrel goes on and she finally declares that she has been in love with Adam Brant.
Ezra Mannon, in his attempt to fly at her, rises suddenly but only to clutch at his heart. He has a heart attack. He needs his medicine. Christine gives him poison instead of the medicine. He takes the poison from the hands of Christine and swallows believing it a medicine but soon realizes the treachery of Christine. He shouts for help. Lavinia comes and he signals towards her and has indicated the killer before breathing his last:
"She's guilty-not medicine!". In the agony of lost love, Lavinia has decided to revenge from her mother and she says her: "You murdered him!"
