Essay Questions

Who was Cathy, and what is her importance in the social context of the film?

Cathy was a white woman who was a apparently happily married to a business man. In the beginning of their married life, she enjoys dinners, interviews and parties with her husband, but later on she gets to know about her husband's relationship with other men. Her husband was homosexual and he was having affairs with the men in his office. Cathy builds a friendly relationship with Raymond and gradually falls in love with him. She was afraid of her society for loving an African American man but after getting divorce from her husband, she wanted to go with Raymond. Raymond refuses to take her along with him and she returns empty handed from the station.

How has homosexuality been portrayed in the film?

Homosexuality has been portrayed as a mental illness in the movie. Frank continues to indulge in his frequent visits to gay bars. Cathy sees him kissing a man in his office and when she talks to him about it, Frank says that he is suffering from mental issues. He says that he will resolve this issue by talking to a psychiatrist as if this disease can be cured by talking on heterosexual topics.

Why does Raymond leave the town?

The society poses threat to both Raymond and his daughter owing to Raymond's relationship with Cathy. His daughter is assaulted by white boys in her school and Raymond also suffers because of his black identity. He faces many problems as a consequence of his acquaintance with a white woman. Eventually, he leaves the town with his daughter to save her from further troubles.