How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #7
POLLY. Is this our wedding feast? Was the whole lot stolen, Mac?
MAC. Of course. Of course.
POLLY. I wonder what you will do if there's a knock at the door and the sheriff steps in. (1.2.104-107)
So many questions, and the answer to all of them is, "yes." From whether or not this is a wedding to whether or not her new husband has stolen every single one of their possessions, Polly is hitting the nail right on the head with her questions. But the last question's answer might surprise you. The sheriff is just as much a crook as her new groom, so there won't be any problem when he shows up.
Quote #8
PEACHUM. So she's associating with criminals. That's lovely. That's delightful.
MRS. PEACHUM. If you're immoral enough to get married, did it have to be a horse-thief and a highwayman? That'll cost you dear one of these days! (1.3.69-73)
Well, that's not the answer you might expect from the mother of the bride. Mrs. Peachum equates marriage to stealing horses and highway robbery. As earlier, when Polly realizes her wedding is a sham, it seems like these little subtle comments are a criticism of the institution of marriage, the basis of society. It's like all of civilization rests on theft of private property. Hmm…
Quote #9
BROWN. Very well, if you insist. Well, first of all the rewards for murderers arrested thanks to you or your men. The Treasury paid you a total of…
MAC. Three instances at forty pounds a piece, that makes a hundred and twenty pounds. One quarter for you comes to thirty pounds, so that's what we owe you. (3.9.184-189)
The sheriff and the death row inmate are so matter-of-fact about their accounting that you might not even realize that they're calculating how much Mac owes Jackie in bribes. Yep, the top cop is on the top crook's payroll, and his only job is to look the other way. Corruption feeds criminality in The Threepenny Opera.