Current Forum: Session 4: Ideology and Race	Read 4 times 	
Date: 05-Feb-2001 23:49:45	
Author: THOMPSON, GREGORY J. <gjthomps@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>	
Subject: Outclassed and outcast in Imitation 	
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       Perhaps more clearly than in any other area the intersection of race a class takes place in Imitation of Life. The relationship between Annie and Laura although one of outward respect and human dignity clearly indicates that there are roles that are inherent in the Black/White world. Although both women find themselves as widows raising daughters, rather than an immediate friendship and alliance, they fall into roles that have been previously constructed by the society in which they live. That of servant and master. Laura's invitation for Annie and Sarah Jane to spend one night quickly tuners into Laura's opportunity to make people believe that she has a maid (and therefore economic status) and secondly that she, now that there is someone to take care of her daughter she has the ability to pursue her acting goals, which in this film, remain tied tightly to her ability to become the sexual object of male agents and playwrights. 
       Throughout the movie there are instances in which the blacks, Annie and, later, servant characters (who, by the way remain nameless throughout), play the role of the dutiful, even 
cheerful servant to Laura and her daughter. There is always the addressing of the white characters as Mr. And Miss even the relationship would seem to be (as the economic status of the whites goes up) to be a situation of friendship rather than employer/employee. The house in fact shows the separation between the two "families" white and black. Both live on the upper floor but the stairs are built in such a way as to indicate the separateness of the two families. Adding to this (which might be written off as a clever architectural design) is the fact that the stairs that lead down to the kitchen, and subsequently to the discreet backdoor is located on the 
Annie/black side of the residence. Whereas the Laura/white side has free range of the front stairs and entrance. 
       The character of Annie is as much a Mammy as any set in the antebellum south. She is thrifty and concerned with the other people she runs into like the milkman and the other servants. She is caring for the children in a way that the white woman of the house is unable to be and she is lacking in sexual allure. Although she is similar in age to Laura, she ages much 
more quickly and there is never any moment in which she is allowed to have moments with a man he way that Laura allowed (encouraged). Finally she is seen as wise old woman who gives 
here life for the sake of the family specifically the children and the white woman, who really hasn't been there for the children will step in to take over (now that all the hard work 
has been done.)