Homosexuality
One of the main themes explored in the movie is the theme of homosexuality and how it was perceived at the time in which the movie was set. Cathy's husband is a closeted homosexual, who fought against this, got married and made a picture perfect image of family life. Unfortunately, Frank can't run away from himself and finds himself more and more unhappy with his life in which he isn't true to himself. Homosexuality is portrayed as having been perceived as an illness, a mental disorder at the time that needed to be cured with heterosexual conversion.
Being a woman in a conservative society
Cathy is portrayed as a perfect, happy wife whose sole purpose is to take care of the house and support her husband. It seems that the conservative society, which she's a part of only waits for her to make a mistake. That mistake is in their eyes Cathy's friendship with Raymond, an African American man and a father who wants to make the best opportunities for his daughter. Being on friendly terms with a black person was perceived wrong by the society, and they are immediately shunning and turning their back on Cathy who lives open-mindedly, including her best friend.
Racism
Racism is a very important theme portrayed in the movie. The movie mirrors the society mid 20th century, when African American people were forced to face and get accustomed to the racism and dehumanizing remarks and behavior by the white people. Raymond is a father who only wants the best for her daughter making her attend a school dominated by white children. Not only the father, but his little daughter has to go through the rejection and suffer disgusting racist behavior which even endangers her life. Raymond's friendship with Cathy is closely followed and monitored by the society, as shown in the scene where people of an entire street stop ready to attack him after he takes Cathy's hand.
