Exploitation
Ray exploits LV throughout the play as he hears her great talent and immediately seeks to sign her, becoming her manager, and booking her shows. But, Ray does all of this for his benefit, he is ready to represent real talent and not strippers any longer. The reality is that he isn't in it to create health for LV as all he thinks of is the next gig getting bigger and bigger and not her growing as a human being.
Gift as a Curse
We see that the more LV performs the more exhausted she gets, to the point that she is laid flat out on her bed and unable to move. Her gift is something she knows she has, but doesn't desire to become famous for it. She becomes exhausted because her gift is being misused and abused and thus becomes a curse rather than the blessing it could be.
Motherly Love
Throughout the play, Mari is out for her own benefit, never for the whole picture to include LV. She blames LV for Ray leaving her, when the reality is that he never loved Mari. LV has been seen as a burden to her mother who's only desire is to get married and be taken care of.
