‘night, Mother, a more recent American play, which, in form of a dialogue
between a mother and her adult daughter deals with the daughter’s
desperation for missing autonomy and her decision to gain control over her
life by ending it, has met with controversial reception from critics after
winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1983. On the one hand it was celebrated as a
successful drama by a female playwright, whereas it was denied on the other
hand as betraying Feminism.
Still, in my paper this struggle will not be continued. What I am interested in
here is, how the play treats the subject of free death as a specific way of
dying. In our current society this subject arouses either greed for sensation or
it is looked upon as a taboo and the public treatment or defense of it is
normally denied. Examining the plays reception by critics it is striking that the
protagonist’s carried out death is mainly deemed positive or even compared
with a heroic deed. In the face of this debate I will examine Jessie’s
desperation with her life and show, if she is in the end really successful in
reaching autonomy and a personal identity through suicide.
The first objects of my research are going to be Jessie’s current situation, her
inward state of mind and how she comes to the decision that death might
constitute a solution to her problems. The next step will be a discussion of
this decision and its justification with the help of two different works on
suicide, of which one is rather a scientific study and the other one a
philosophical treatise on the topic. Finally, I will have a look at those critiques
which are in favor of Jessie’s suicide as a positive and successful action and
put them in context with the plot of the play, which will lead to a conclusion
of what Jessie has actually reached and in how far her suicide might be seen
as a wrong reaction.
Table of Contents
I Introduction
II Main Part
1 Dependence, Isolation and Hopelessness as the Dominating Feelings in Jessie’s Life
1.1 Childhood and Family
1.2 Epilepsy
1.3 Male Domination
1.4 Mother-Daughter-Relationship
2 Jessie’s Decision to Commit Suicide as a Means of Self-Definition
3 Self-Determination of Death
4 What Has Jessie Actually Reached ?
III Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the protagonist’s struggle for autonomy and personal identity in Marsha Norman's play 'night, Mother, analyzing whether her decision to commit suicide serves as a successful act of self-determination or a reaction to deep-seated despair.
- The influence of childhood experiences and family dynamics on suicidal tendencies.
- The impact of chronic illness (epilepsy) and social isolation on the protagonist’s life.
- The role of male domination and restrictive gender roles in fostering passivity.
- The complex mother-daughter symbiosis and its interference with individual identity development.
- Critical perspectives on suicide as an act of existentialist freedom versus a surrender to hopelessness.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Childhood and family
Already Jessie’s childhood seems to have been shaped by the absence of communication and of a feeling of authentic love. The only person to whom she has developed a closer relationship and by whom she feels loved is her father. In his chapter about childhood experiences and their influences on suicide later in life Lester points out that especially in young years a child can make experiences which may lead to a suicidal attitude as an adult (Lester 39, 41). For instance disharmony between parents may be such a disturbing factor, leading to a feeling of guilt and making a child turn all the aggression it experiences against him- or herself.
From Mama we learn that Jessie’s parents did not love one another and, much worse, the mother was jealous of her daughter for getting the love and communication from her father, that she was always denied. This must have lead to deep feelings of guilt in Jessie, especially if one is aware of how Mama takes advantage of any opportunity to present her husband in unfavorable light and to refuse his paternal love:
MAMA: He felt sorry for you, too, Jessie, don’t kid yourself about that. He said you were a runt and he said it from the day you were born and he said you didn’t have a chance.
JESSIE ... : I know he loved me. (48)
Summary of Chapters
I Introduction: This section presents the play and outlines the research interest regarding the controversy surrounding the protagonist's suicide as a form of free death.
II Main Part: This section investigates the factors leading to Jessie's isolation and analyzes her suicide as a potential attempt to define her own identity.
1 Dependence, Isolation and Hopelessness as the Dominating Feelings in Jessie’s Life: This chapter analyzes how family history, illness, and gender-based societal expectations contribute to the protagonist's feelings of helplessness.
1.1 Childhood and Family: This chapter focuses on the lack of authentic love and communication in Jessie's early life and its connection to her later psychological state.
1.2 Epilepsy: This chapter examines how the protagonist's disease leads to social detachment and a physical dependency on her mother.
1.3 Male Domination: This chapter discusses how the influence of men, specifically her brother and former husband, enforces a passive role on Jessie.
1.4 Mother-Daughter-Relationship: This chapter explores the symbiotic, restrictive relationship between the characters that hinders Jessie's pursuit of autonomy.
2 Jessie’s Decision to Commit Suicide as a Means of Self-Definition: This chapter argues that Jessie uses the power of silence and the act of suicide to finally assert control over her own life.
3 Self-Determination of Death: This chapter evaluates the philosophical arguments for suicide as an inalienable right against the clinical view of suicide prevention.
4 What Has Jessie Actually Reached ?: This chapter synthesizes critical interpretations to determine whether the suicide constitutes an act of liberation or a final act of passive resignation.
III Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes that while the suicide provides a symbolic act of separation, it ultimately represents a loss of potential for developing a true identity.
Keywords
Marsha Norman, 'night, Mother, Suicide, Autonomy, Identity, Mother-Daughter-Relationship, Female Passivity, Existentialism, Self-Determination, Depression, Domesticity, Feminism, Literary Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this academic paper?
The paper explores the motivations behind the protagonist Jessie's decision to commit suicide in Marsha Norman's play 'night, Mother, and whether this act allows her to achieve true autonomy.
What are the central themes discussed in the analysis?
Key themes include the impact of childhood trauma, the limiting effects of gender roles and male domination, the struggle for identity within a restrictive mother-daughter bond, and the ethics of suicide.
What is the primary research question?
The research asks if Jessie’s suicide is a genuinely successful attempt to reach personal identity and autonomy, or if it remains a tragic response to a life of overwhelming hopelessness.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study uses a literary analysis approach, integrating psychological theories on suicidal behavior by David Lester and philosophical perspectives from Jean Améry to interpret the play's plot.
What does the main part cover?
The main part analyzes the various external factors—such as epilepsy, family dynamics, and societal pressure—that shape Jessie's life, followed by a discussion on how she attempts to use suicide as a tool for self-definition.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Essential keywords include autonomy, identity, 'night, Mother, suicide, female passivity, and self-determination.
How does the author interpret the significance of the "bus-metaphor" used by Jessie?
The author interprets the bus-metaphor as an existentialist realization that waiting for a natural death is meaningless to Jessie, highlighting her desire to exit a life that offers her no agency or potential for change.
How is the mother's reaction to the suicide announcement analyzed?
The mother's reaction is analyzed as an initial phase of denial, followed by a forced realization that her daughter is an individual beyond her control, leading to a final, albeit tragic, moment of mutual understanding.
- Quote paper
- Peter Brüstle (Author), 2001, Jessie's Quest for Autonomy through Suicide in Marsha Norman's night Mother, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/13146
