Theme
The theme of the movie, to the modern eye, deals with very important issues — passing, the role of black servants in white families, maternal affection—and remains very watchable. Some scenes seem to have been consciously filmed to highlight the fundamental unfairness of Delilah's position—for example, when, in Bea's fabulous NYC mansion, Delilah descends down the shadowy stairs to the basement where she lives while Bea, dressed in the height of fashion, floats up the stairs to her rooms, rooms that have been built on Delilah's recipe. Others highlight the similarities between the two mothers, both of whom adore their daughters and are brought to grief by their self-centeredness. Still others permit the audience to view Delilah as a figure of fun, often because of her ignorance about finance or her desire to stay in her humble role, yet by the end of the movie—especially with the long processional portraying a very dignified black community, Delilah has become a saintly icon to Bea and the audience.
Read more about this topic: Imitation Of Life (1934 Film)
Famous quotes containing the word theme:
“One theme links together these new proposals for family policy—the idea that the family is exceedingly durable. Changes in structure and function and individual roles are not to be confused with the collapse of the family. Families remain more important in the lives of children than other institutions. Family ties are stronger and more vital than many of us imagine in the perennial atmosphere of crisis surrounding the subject.”
—Joseph Featherstone (20th century)
“The saying, “The Magyar is much too lazy to be bored,” is worth thinking about. Only the most subtle and active animals are capable of boredom.—A theme for a great poet would be God’s boredom on the seventh day of creation.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“The theme of my autobiography could only be repetition.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)