Removing the Toxic Tracy From Our Lives

Prompt: How do the characters' relationships impact their ability to fulfill their dreams and reach their goals? When do the characters support one another and when do they obstruct one another? When friends and family members become barriers to achieving goals, why do you think this happens?   

What Cynthia should've done after that interaction

    When introduced to Cynthia we see her as a hardworking and growing character. She hopes to get a new position at her job, rid herself of her toxic marriage, and support her son. As a symbol of hopes and dreams, Cynthia emphasizes the fragility of our own and how easily they can be changed. Tracey, one of Cynthia's closest friends, introduces this idea in one of their first interactions in the play. When talking about a potential job promotion for Cynthia, Tracey immediately shoots the idea down, referring it to as a hopeless idea. Even when Cynthia talks about how much it could improve her life, Tracey just pushes it off saying "Bla...bla. Write a book" (Nottage 25). I think that the reason behind Tracey's opposition to Cynthia's new status comes from a place of jealousy. Tracey emphasizes the fact that she has worked at the plant since she was 18, suggesting the "inheritance" or right she thinks she has to the job. However, when the position is given to Cynthia, her own friend, she is faced with the reality of her own life. Out of jealousy, there forms a constant need to bring Cynthia down.

Tracey except she never realizes it

    While her feelings and emotions are partially understandable after she learns about the mass layoff, they do not completely justify her actions. The nonstop aggression she shows toward Cynthia before the plant shutdown hints at the narcissistic view she has of herself. She sees herself as more deserving and refuses to acknowledge the obvious flaws in her own life. To put it plainly, she is delusional and needs to face reality. To heighten these delusions, we read that she's "...been going around town whispering that the only reason Cynthia got the job is cuz she's black" (Nottage 51). By spreading these rumors around, she constantly tries to gaslight herself. She refuses to face the cold hard truth: Cynthia earned that position and she did not. Her emotional response is automatically victim blaming as seen multiple times not only with Cynthia.

    We can see the impact that this has on Cynthia as it leads her jobless in the end. Blinded by what she thought was better for her relationship with Tracey, she instead lost her job, leaving her not only barely surviving but also with no actual benefit to the friendship. Once on the path to success, she is left with having to work "...at the university...nursing home... piecing things together" (Nottage 68). Tracey and Cynthia's relationship shows the impact that a toxic relationship can have on one's hopes and where it leads them. I think this brings up an important part of our lives regarding who we surround ourselves with and our perceptions of other people's successes.