Eugene speaks to the audience to help us understand why people are so nice to Laurie. By providing context about her heart condition, he explains the concern and care that the family has for her, which allows the audience to grasp the dynamics of the family and Laurie's specific situation.
LAURIE I'm almost through, Ma.
BLANCHE All right, darling. Don't get up too quickly.
KATE (To LAURIE) You have better color today, sweet-heart. Did you get a little sun this morning?
LAURIE I walked down to the beach.
BLANCHE Very slowly, I hope?
LAURIE Yes, Ma.
BLANCHE That's good.
EUGENE (Turns to the audience again) She gets all this special treatment because the doctors say she has kind of a flutter in her heart . . .
—Brighton Beach Memoirs,
Neil Simon
Why does Eugene speak to the audience?
He helps us understand why people are so nice to Laurie.
He tells us why a heart flutter is dangerous.
He makes us feel sorry for Laurie.
He lets us know that he’s tired of the special treatment Laurie receives.
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