The American Misadventure of Race: One Drop of Blood Amongst a Country of Strangers

Imitation of Life and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner deals with Black heritage, assimilated culture, and a way of life in America in the past and present. They both deal with social issues and offer historical insight. However, some differences are prevalent between the 2 films. Imitation of Life was made in the 30s, a time when Blacks had no "civil rights". Guess Who's Coming to Dinner was made in the 60s during radical movements, civil right movements and national racial mixing, etc. Nevertheless, these 2 movies are far more similar then different. In my paper, I will discuss some historically insight from the movie and how it relates to the time period and era of its time.

Imitation of Life is the story about mother / daughter relationships, race and pride. Imitation of Life takes place in the 1930's. Delilah and her young daughter Peola are both Black. Delilah is "dark-skinned" and her daughter is pale and "light-skinned". Peola learns at a young age that she can "pass" because of her skin tone, and later tries to pretend that she is White. Beatrice Pullman and Delilah are best friends who later own a successful business in manufacturing of pancakes. Jessie is Beatrice's daughter and "good" friends with Delilah and Peola. Delilah and Beatrice's relationship is very unique for this time period. They become almost like "family" and are bond together for life after initially meting each other. Moreover, this is a love story, a story of paternal relationships and race hostilities of the time. It is the story of imitation and deceit, love, trust and despair.