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Alice represents an array of relationship roles—wife, mother, and sister—and illustrates the consequences of living a privileged life without personal autonomy. Married when she was basically a teenager, she acknowledges that she never had the chance to explore her own desires or make independent choices. To some degree, she embodies a “deal with the devil” trope, believing that marrying into the wealthy and prestigious Van Laar family would ensure she was taken care of, only to find herself manipulated, emotionally abused, and entirely dependent on others. 

Despite the advantages that should come with wealth, Alice is one of the least fortunate characters. Ironically, though she spends the most time in the Self-Reliance house, she lacks any real self-reliance. She exists under the control of her husband, father-in-law, and even her doctor, and she relies on medication and alcohol to cope. She only knows how to listen to the men in her life, never having learned how to trust herself. Regardless of the deception from her husband and sister, Alice still tries to be the best wife and sister she can be, demonstrating adaptability compared to her rigid husband, Peter.  

Her devastation over Bear’s disappearance severely strains her relationship with Barbara. Alice admits that she feels like her sole purpose in life was to be Bear’s mother, and when he vanished, she lost any self-worth she had. She doesn't know how to define herself outside of her relationship with Bear, which leaves her emotionally absent from Barbara. 

Alice represents what happens when women are stifled and denied any form of independence. She is a pitied character, shaped by the expectations she never broke away from. Barbara, by contrast, represents the opposite of her mother: Alice is passive and dependent, but Barbara is bold, independent, and self-reliant. Unfortunately, Alice lacks the understanding and resources to even grasp what that freedom feels like, let alone pursue it. 

Previous section Judyta “Judy” Luptack

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