Homophobia: Andre’s Mother by Terrence McNally

Homophobia: an extreme and irrational aversion to homosexuality and homosexual people; a common disease that engulfs a person and has a little success rate to be cured. A homophobic mindset can often produce unintended consequences because it fosters situations where self-expression is not allowed. The play “Andre’s Mother” by Terrence McNally describes the emotions of loved ones who are gathered to send off the death of a beloved man, Andre. The plot develops around the challenges that homosexual individuals and couples face on a daily basis and the search to find a place in society. The struggle for acceptance has been a major factor in shaping life decisions as the author dealt with growing up as a homosexual man in the conservative state of Texas. His feeling and emotions are expressed through the themes in the play and in the voices of the characters. In the play, homosexual relationships are seen as a forbidden love that stops one from integrating into the culture of society, revealing a sense of homophobia in the story. Homophobia is seen in the story through the character of Andre’s Mother, Cal and Andre’s relationship, the symbolism of the white balloons, and the rhetoric of the characters. The narrative of the story is in direct association with the struggles of Terrence McNally’s childhood and the feelings that he experienced shown through the character of Andre. The play proves that homophobia is seen as unacceptable because it strays from what is considered normal sexual orientation and consequently has major effects on anyone who challenges this view.
A mother is someone who can never be replaced in a child’s life. In the case of Terrence McNally, his mother was the one person whose acceptance he wished for. The pl...

... middle of paper ...

...uly is oppressive to completely exclude a group of humans based on something that is out of their control, and makes them free to exercise their right to self- expression.

Works Cited
Goldstein, Richard. The Attack Queers: Liberal Society and the Gay Right. London: Verso, 2002.
Print.
McNally, Terrence. “Andre’s Mother.” A Little Literature. Eds. Sylvan Barnet, William
Burto, and William E. Cain. San Francisco: Longman, 2007. 880-883. Print.
Rader, Dotson. "Playwright Terrence McNally: 'The Most Significant Thing a Writer Can Do Is
Reach Someone Emotionally'" Parade. Parade Publications Inc., 24 Mar. 2014. Web. 10 May 2014.
Schulman, Randy. "McNally's Aria." Metro Weekly. Jansi LLC, 24 Mar. 2010. Web. 10 May
2014.
Sorrels, David J. "The Evolution of AIDS as a Subject Matter in Select American Dramas." Diss.
U of North Texas, 2000. Print.