The role of the family in Douglas Sirk's film "Imitation of Life"

In the film, Imitation of Life, director Douglas Sirk examines the role of the family in the melodrama genre. The film, created in 1959, analyzed two mothers that differed in race, but evolved throughout the movie as friends, and as loving mothers. Regardless of social class, Lora (Lana Turner) a white woman, and Annie (Juanita Moore) a black woman, were always strong mother figures, and loved their children Susie and Sarah Jane very much. The unconditional …

…say, "I hate you", Annie still had the strength within herself to remain firm to her beliefs that Sarah Jane would soon break out of her phase. It was not until Sarah Jane left, disowning her mother, which you really saw Annie break down. The heartache of losing her only daughters love literally killed her, and her death was the only thing that opened Sarah Jane's eyes to the pain she had caused her mother.