Momma's gotta' let go: A character-driven analysis of the mother archetype in musical theatre

A focus on character-specific research in musical theatre has often formed a peripheral focus of many scholars. Within this thesis, I aim to explore how a specific character archetype can be explored through its relationship to pertinent social and psychological discourse. For the purpose of this thesis, Rose from Gypsy will form a core example upon which discussions of behaviour, identity, dependence and gender will be discussed. I aim to build upon this by cross-examining the behavioural patterns presented by Effie in Dreamgirls and explore how identity and the relationship with pregnancy influence her dramatic actions. Social issues surrounding race and gender will be discussed with regards to the two previous examples as well as the cultural implications and impacts of war in the narratives of South Pacific and Miss Saigon. A broader discussion of the theatrical and performative conventions relating to motherhood will inform a consideration of how social and psychological patterns impact the dramatic developments of mothers in musical theatre.