Infantilization of Grace/Lucy
In the 1950's, it was still fairly commonplace for husbands to discipline housewives when they "acted out." I Love Lucy reflected and reinforced the cultural tradition in the way Ricky gives Lucy an allowance, attempts to control how she spends her time, and even physical abuse. The following video is disturbing because Lucy is not figuratively infantilized through subtle character development but through Ricky actually treating her like a child.
In Will & Grace, Grace is infantilized in through the delicate set-up of her character as shallow and unmotivated. She is an emotional character and much of her arch is dedicated to relationships with men. Will chastises her when she decides to pursue a relationship as opposed to becoming a surrogate mother for his child. In an emotional scene (which earned Debra Messing an Emmy), Will and Grace expose each other’s major character flaws.
It is significant that it is through the potential role of motherhood that Will’s infantilization of Grace is most apparent. Although, she is often infantilized after a breakup. In one instance the other three characters try to force-bathe her when she refuses to take care of herself after getting heartbroken (see header image). Grace as a character may not be as mature as Will, but she does not deserve the treatment she is receiving and she recognizes this in the video above. Unlike Lucy, Grace is able to justify her behavior which (taken on its own) might seem worthy of ridicule – Lucy’s antics, Grace’s cycles with men, etc.
Will & Grace writers take a step towards deeper exploration of stock character and as a result, the older Lucy model is updated: she can explain her choices and does not simply have to take reprimand from her male partner. I would also argue that the depth of character explored here makes for better entertainment. The old dramatic axiom conflict requires two balanced forces in opposition comes to mind.
This page has paths:
- Chapter One - Lucy and Grace Fernando Rivera