Research Paper on:
Gypsy, Etc.

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
vanity and...fanatical attention to detail" of actress Joan Crawford, which warped the childhood of her daughter Christina (Maslin). While Crawford is certainly presented as the quintessential parent who cannot see  the needs of her child because she is too obsessed with her own needs, she does not compare to the steam-roller of a mother who dominates the memoirs of exotic  performer, Gypsy Rose Lee. Yet, "Gypsy," while conveying a tough-as-nails persona for Mama Rose that would clearly flatten that of Joan Crawford, it also conveys a humanness to this woman  that makes her appealing and invokes the audiences understanding of her as a human being despite her controlling actions. As "Gypsy" is a musical, characterization is largely accomplished via  song lyrics and much of Roses character comes out in her solos and duets. For example, early on the musical, Rose sings "Some People," which presents her view on life  and offers insight into her driving ambition to make something of herself and to live fully. This song perfectly conveys Roses attitude, which equates a normal, stay=in-home life with death.  She sings that "Anybody that stays home is dead" and that she "at least" has to try and achieve what she knows, deep down, she is capable experiencing and doing  ("Gypsy"). Similarly, insight is gained into Roses character when she begins a tentative romance with Herbie. In their duet "Small World," Rose is shown to be touching vulnerable, afraid  of getting hurt, yet yearning for intimacy. When Rose sings "Youll never get away from me" to Herbie, it is clear that behind her driving ambition and obsession with show  business, she is capable of tender feelings and truly does love Herbie in her own way. An additional element to Roses character that modifies how the audience perceives her