Current Forum: Session 4: Ideology and Race	Read 9 times 	
Date: 05-Feb-2001 21:59:02	
Author: SANTORA, GEORGE J. <gjs8362@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>	
Subject: Good girls and bad girls. 	
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       Imitation of Life portrays contrary arguments on weather or not race is a biologically concrete identity or one of social construction. The scene where Sara Jane and Suzie are comparing their blood because a schoolmate said, “Negro blood is different” makes the point that race is essential, a matter of biological difference. Laura who dismisses the idea as nonsense contradicts this notion. Shortly afterwards Sara Jane asserts that race is only an illusion after she berates her mother for being black she says, “ I am white, I’m just as white as Suzie”. The remainder of the film then subtly and sometimes blatantly reinforces the idea that race is much more than a mere social construction despite its tone at the beginning. Examination of the contrasts made between Laura and Annie and their daughters Suzie and Sara Jane reveals the essentialist nature of racial construction in the film and illustrates how issues of race, class and gender often intersect. 
       The difference between Annie and Laura is made clear early in the film. Laura goes off chasing her dream of becoming an actress, while Annie stays at home taking care of the children and taking any work, she can find. She tells Steve that she cleans the stairwells of the apartment to help with the rent. Laura on the other hand is unburdened, free from her domestic 
ball and chain she pursues her dream. This scenario reflects the “mammy” stereotype of black women and the idea that Laura is free to pursue her dreams due to white privilege. The idea that 
Laura wants everything that she feels she is entitled to is reflected in her statement to Steve, “ I want everything, maybe too much”. Although Laura is entitled to pursue her dreams because of her color, she is portrayed negatively as a female. Throughout the film, we witness Laura’s sacrifice of true love with Steve for relationships that will aid her career. This is sharply contrasted by Steve who gives up his dream of being a photographer for the stability of an office job. He does this in order to be able to marry and take care of Laura. His decision reflects white middle class values. Laura’s loveless marriage for the betterment of her career, although it reflects her privilege as a white person, is contrary to middle class values reflecting the role of women. Although the film does not make it clear, it appears that her transgressions will prevent her from obtaining the love of any man including Steve. 
       The lives of Sara Jane and Suzie are even more revealing of the essentialist nature of this film. Suzie is portrayed as naïve, and pure. She is does not even know what it is like to kiss a boy. Sara Jane on the other hand sneaks around late at night with her boyfriend. The way these two young women are filmed is revealing. Suzie is always shot in high-key star lighting. This has the affect of accentuating her whiteness and purity. Sara Jane on the other hand is often shot with low-key light. This emphasizes her darker “nature”. The scenes of Sara Jane undressing and those where she is performing serve to portray her as a highly sexualized character. Perhaps a statement on the inability of her race to control their libidinous instincts. In the end, Sara Jane is forced to pay the price for her denial of her race and rejection of her mother, where it can be assumed that Suzie’s life will be all that is entitled to her. 
       In conclusion, it seems that although the film feigns liberal or illusionist intentions, in the end it reinforces the white middleclass values of its time by showing that each race has its proper place in society, Annie is happy serving her white family and the white people are entitled to success. In addition, through its depiction of the ultimately inevitable unhappiness that awaits women who transgress gender norms, through the pursuit of unconventional careers, or through 
marriage for class mobility.