by Catherine Hopkins
One of the most well known movies to depict southern life is Steel Magnolias. Based in Louisiana, the film follows the lives of a group of women as they experience the joys and sorrows life has to offer. Made in 1989, it helps to give the audience an idea of important values in southern culture. The name itself even provides the audience an insight into how southerners view themselves. The title “Steel Magnolias” implies that although one is delicate like a flower, they are also as strong as steel and will persevere through tough times. This is something all of the women in the movie show as they are experiencing the loss of a friend.
The most important relationship in the movie is between M’Lynn and Shelby Eatenton, a mother and daughter duo. Because Shelby is a diabetic, her mother takes extreme care towards her. One of the first scenes in the movie is M’Lynn helping Shelby recover from a hypoglycemic attack. Since her daughter’s life is often in danger, M’Lynn encourages Shelby to consider her health first above everything else. When she learns Shelby wants to have a child, M’Lynn disapproves as it would put Shelby in danger. This relationship helps to show that family is extremely important in southern culture. Sothern’s consider the health and joy of their family to be their main priority in decision making.
The importance of family in southern culture can also be seen through Louisa “Ouiser” Boudreaux, a divorced woman who is often encouraged to get married again. The other main characters encourage Ouiser to see someone since she’s all alone. This depicts the south as encouraging women to get married. Family is very important and it’s viewed as strange if a woman wants to stay alone.
Another aspect of southern culture that the movie shows is religion. Annelle Dupuy, one of the main cast members, becomes extremely religious to the point of annoying the other characters. Although it is depicted as comedy, it does help to show the importance of religion in the south. It’s prevalent in most people’s everyday lives.
