The scene from “Imitation of Life” I am choosing to analyze occurs as Laura and Steve are leaving the apartment complex to go Christmas shopping (37:00). As they leave, Laura complains of not having enough money to buy Steve a worthwhile Christmas gift, prompting Steve to propose to her. Steve explains that he wants to fulfill the role of patriarchal breadwinner by financially supporting Laura and the kids; this way, financial burdens like the one observed here will no longer be a problem. This is representative of the stereotypical 1950’s American family culture vindictive of the time period. At this time, women were expected to stay home and take care of the kids and house, while the men went out and worked to support the family. Steve explains, “I want to give you a home, take care of you, love you”. He wants to fulfill the role of patriarchal breadwinner which is expected of a man like him during this time period. Steve is willing to put his photography dreams aside, because he desires the American family ideal more. He truly wants Laura and the kids to be dependent on him, so that he can finally assume the cultural role of breadwinner.
Laura on the other hand is not ready to embrace this national fantasy. She wants to live life on her terms and not conform to American family culture. Laura longs for something more than what Steve wants to give her; she desires unparalleled fame and stardom. She finds the stereotypical American family life restraining, and knows that it will only hinder her longing to make it big in theatre. Steve cannot understand why Laura continues to strive for this fantasy, as it is contradictory to the more common desires of women of this time period; specifically, those who seek to marry, have kids, and ultimately play a supportive role to their husbands.
It’s interesting how this scene comments not only on 1950’s American family norms, but also on how desire can sometimes stand in juxtaposition to achievement of this type of normative American fantasy. Desire has the capability to challenge even the most standard American expectations. Laura knows her dreams are contradictory to American family culture, yet she remains relentless on not giving them up. What makes this desire even more prevalent is the fact that Laura is significantly older than the typical aspiring actress. In America, there is a clear cultural link between age and marriage. A single woman in her twenties is not going to have as high societal expectations to marry as a woman in her thirties or forties. Subsequently, marriage is just another aspect of the American identity of older Americans, both male and female. In a society where the majority of people Laura’s age are married or actively seeking marriage, her refusal of Steve seems extremely out of the norm; especially, since she is out of work with a young daughter, making the need for the presence of a patriarchal breadwinner that much more relevant.
Ultimately, for someone like Laura to continue delaying marriage and stereotypical family life at this later stage in her life, exemplifies the theme of desire and its pertinence in challenging cultural norms. In this film, desire not only challenges stereotypical American culture, but also the conceived identity of American women. Laura’s desire fueled decision stands in direct juxtaposition to both American cultural norms and the expected American identity for someone of her sex and age.
Adam Szetela