MovieChat Forums > Imitation of Life (1959) Discussion > Sarah Jane could have handled it differe...

Sarah Jane could have handled it differently

posted 8 years ago by joannabaroncelli
6 replies | jump to latest

It wasn't necessary for Sarah Jane to be so cold toward her mother and hurt her like that. What she could have done was sit down and have a talk with her mother. She could have explained to her mother that she loved her but the only way she could get ahead in society as it was at that time was to pass which she could do. It had nothing to do with shame of her racial identity but just recognition of the reality that shaped society at that time. Sarah Jane could explain her hope that things would change down the line and she wouldn't have to continue this public denial of a part of her forever. Annie might not have agreed with Sarah Jane's decision but she would respect her reasons and not be hurt like she was. Sarah Jane could continue to write her mother and let her know how she was doing. Over the course of the next 10 years great strides were made in the civil rights field which could not have been forseen at that time and that would have hastened the day when Sarah Jane could drop her cover and not feel she had to hide the black part of her anymore.

[–] I_Love_Hutch 8 years ago

I couldn't disagree with you more. Sarah Jane had been emotionally disturbed and full of hate for herself since she was a young girl. What you have suggested would be how a rational person with integrity and emotional maturity and self-respect would have handled it. Sarah Jane had none of things to help her in life
In her distorted mindset, these were all things she couldn't afford to have
Her mother may be the kindest person in the world, but that doesn't mean that Sarah Jane should be judged this way. The poor girl was a tortured soul.

[–] InherentlyYours 8 years ago

Sarah Jane could do as she damn well pleased. Her mother could had handled it differently also. Young people have to experience life on their own to find out what they like or dislike. When your mother orders or pleads with you to conduct your life differently, you don't just follow instructions, do you? If we all did that, we'd never achieve a sense of satisfaction. She lied about her color so she could work as a stripper; it was her right to do that, and not the worst thing. I do agree that the two need not be estranged; Sarah Jane would had reached out to her mom when the time was right, not when her mother decides so.

[–] liscarkat (16469) 6 years ago

What's this "pass" BS? She was white as much as she was black, actually more, since she looked white. Telling people she was white was no more "passing" than telling them she was black would have been.

[–] johnmiller (3318) 6 years ago

The understatement of the millenium! Sarah Jane was the horror show of the century. She deserved every bit of pain she felt at the movie's end. And, then some.

[–] [email protected] (1288) 6 years ago

I loved Annies character and portrayal.. Sara Jane on the other hand was horrible to her. Needlessly so. Speaking of which, I wasnt crazy about Sandra Dee either. But the movie I loved. I could have watched even longer. First time seeing it, and loved it.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

Annie could gave handled it differently too, she could have allowed Sarah to explore her options, spend time both worlds and see if she really liked the white life, and if the strain of keeping up the lies she'd have to tell was worth the material gains of passing.

But that would have required both of them to be rational, thoughtful people, and that's not how they were written.