Steel Magnolias

M'lynn Eatenton (Sally Field) is a well-to-do Southern woman and the married mother of three. She is somewhat repressed, very dignified, and concerned with appearances. Her oldest child, and only daughter, Shelby (Julia Roberts) is a strong contrast to M?lynn; she is emotional, a little reckless, and focused on all those around her getting along and having a good time. Their relationship goes through a number of significant steps, three of which will be examined in detail in this paper.

On the morning of Shelby's wedding, M'lynn and Shelby go to Truvy's beauty parlor to have their hair done for the wedding. While there, Shelby has a diabetic attack. M'lynn deals with this crisis calmly, forcing her to drink juice, despite her protests. Shelby tries to take control of the situation, saying, "If you don't leave me alone, I'm gonna leave," to which M'lynn responds simply, "Oh, I'd love to see

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continue to play a subordinate role. She follows her mother into the pantry and helps her reach the sugar on the top shelf, keeping the conversation and the relationship going. Yet in some ways Shelby is still the little girl, trying to keep everybody happy. She promises that, with this pregnancy, she will be very careful: "Nobody's going to be hurt or disappointed or even inconvenienced," a promise her mother finds horrifying. Shelby thinks she knows why, as she finally loses her temper and says, "You're jealous because you no longer have a say-so in what I do, and that drives you up the wall. You're ready to spit nails because you no longer call the shots." M'lynn vehemently denies this charge, but it seems to be partially true. She has tried to remain in charge in her role as Shelby's mother, but she finds that her daughter is doing what she wants to do, despite her disapproval and her fear. At the end of the scene, Shelby follows M'lynn into the bedroom. She reminds her mother that, throughout her childhood, all M'lynn said she ever wished for her children was for them to be happy. M'lynn now says, "I don't know what I wish." She holds her hand out to Shelby but then pulls it away, walking out of the room. The two
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Some common words found in the essay are:
M'lynn Shelby, M'lynn Shelby's, Truvy's Shelby, I'm Instead, Shelby Shelby, Christmas Shelby, Normality's Shelby, Shelby Truvy's, Steel Magnolias, Oh I'd, m'lynn shelby, eye contact, little girl, mother daughter, third scene, scene takes, m'lynn charge, steel magnolias, shelby able, attack m'lynn,
Approximate Word count = 1898
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)