Mother and Daughter Relationships in "Steel Magnolias"

Paper Summary:

This paper is an examination of examples of interpersonal communication, using the relationship between mother and daughter, M'lynn and Shelby, in Herbert Ross's film of Robert Harling's play, "Steel Magnolias". It discusses how this film provides several excellent examples of the ways in which human beings interact, verbally and non-verbally, and the ways in which these interactions change the nature of complex, long-standing relationships. Although this is a fictional portrayal, the film remains effective because it portrays accurately many of the subtleties involved in the communication process.

From the Paper:

"The relationship during this scene declines into one of parent and child, with M'lynn very much in charge. She talks about her daughter to the others in the shop as Shelby recovers, prompting Shelby to plead, "Don't talk about me like I'm not here." Instead of responding to this plea as an adult, M'lynn goes on, patronizingly: "Oh, she's making some sense now, yes, she is." Shelby is angered by this continued child-like treatment, but she is also very embarrassed by her loss of control. She sees herself in the mirror, realizes that she has destroyed her hair and makeup, and suddenly becomes a little girl, apologizing and trying not to cry.
Part of Shelby's resistance to her mother's attempts to help her may be due to her disorientation during the attack, but she also seems to be resisting submitting to being a child again, at the mercy of her mother's control. Shelby stares her mother in the eyes, trying to regain the balance of her adult relationship, while her mother avoids eye contact and concentrates on the job at hand. M'lynn looks at Shelby to make sure that her daughter is recovered, but she does not look her in the eyes."

More papers on Mother and Daughter Relationships in "Steel Magnolias":

• Essay # 15402 : "Steel Magnolias"
• Analytical Essay # 55641 : "Mother-Daughter Relationships in Literature"
• Analytical Essay # 28867 : "Father-Daughter Relationships in Shakespearean Plays"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: