Helen Irving- Character Summary

Helen is a strong character however comes across as selfish woman both from other characters and her daughter, Rosalind. I believe that Helen is Stubbs interpretation of actresses of the time ie- Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth.

Rita Hayworth


Bette Davis


Joan Crawford

During the play Helen is compared to showing similiar characteristics to that of Joan Crawford especially her reputation of treating others.
I have done some research on the sort of character Joan Crawford was, as a actress and a mother.
Helen although it indicates that she was once married now it is believe that the married was an un happy one especially for Rosalind and has now dissolved. Joan Crawford herself was married four times in the space of thirty years of which this marriages only lasted between 3-4 years. This suggested to me that Joan Crawford was a woman that got men easily however due to her nature the romance was never long. One may feel sorry for Crawford children having to get use to a new "father figure" every four years. It was said that Crawford treated her children badly physically and emotionally whether this was caused by the pressure of the Hollywood lifestyle and the media always one step behind you or whether it was just who she was. This is very similar to Helen she constantly critcises her daughter finding her weaknesses and never praising. Unlike Joan Crawford at the end Helen restores her relationship with her daughter. Maybe this is the alternative ending to what Crawford could of had with her children, rather than memoirs "Mommie Dearest" which showed the negative and not Crawford's interpretation.