African American Women Experience Motif
Nottage is very specific in the play that the life experience of the African American woman was very different to that of the African American man, as women were not considered to be fully independent and were expected to focus their attentions upon finding a husband and devoting themselves to him. However, there is repeated reference to the way in which black women and white women were treated by society in general; Esther wants to open a beauty salon for black women so that she can treat them in the same manner that she sees white women being treated and in the same manner that she treats her own white customers.
Sewing Motif
Esther is a seamstress, but it her talent for sewing that is the constant motif of both her life and also the play. Whatever goes wrong in her life, she has sewing. Whatever she loses, she never loses her talents and her abilities. When George steals her money he has not stolen her talent and she knows that she can use it to build up her savings again and still go after her dreams.
Dreams Motif
Although she experiences many disappointments, as well as an outright betrayal and the theft of her life savings, Esther never gives up on her dreams. When we meet her at the start of the play ,she has come to New York to follow her dreams of becoming a successful seamstress, and later, she has another dream, that of opening her own salon. Even when George has stolen her money she does not let go of her dreams; in fact, she nurtures them more, because she knows that they will keep her going and give her something to strive for even as she has to start all over again.
The Language of George's Letters Symbol
George writes flowery, romantic letters that are filled with consideration for her, descriptions of his own strength of character and also poetic observations about the nature of love. All of these things symbolize his potential as a husband to Esther, even though she does not love him deeply, she feels that the content of his letters symbolizes his high character and suitability as her husband.
Nottage's Grandmother Allegory
Nottage has stated that Esther is based on her own grandmother, and that Esther's life is an allegory of her grandmother;s as she experienced the same things that Esther went through and was similarly duped by a man pretending to be in love with her so that he could steal her money. She was also a seamstress with a particular talent that transcended social boundaries.
