Analysis Of Andre's Mother By Terrence Mcnally

“Andre’s Mother” was a drama written by Terrence McNally in 1988. It’s a short story about a mother coming to accept the death of her son through the stories of her son’s lover. It’s an eye-opening drama that shows the importance of accepting yourself, the necessity of learning to let go, and the bravery of McNally in choosing to portray homosexuality as a normalized facet of the story, as this was a time when homosexuality was still seen as unacceptable. The story opens with Cal, the protagonist, and his father and sister walking with Andre’s mother, each of them holding a while balloon on a string. As the story progresses, Cal talks about Andre’s love for theatre, “God, how much he wanted to play Hamlet again. He would have gone to Timbuktu to have another go at that part” (McNally 1).

Penny, Cal’s sister, goes on to state, “Cal, I don’t understand about the balloons” (McNally 2). Cal explains that they represent the soul. He says that when you’re willing to let go and break the final earthly tie, you need only let go of the balloon. Penny and Arthur say their goodbyes to Arthur, let go of their balloons, and walk away. Once it is only Cal and Andre’s mother, Cal goes on to talk about what Andre told him of his mother, how he was afraid of disapproval from him and how was afraid to hurt her, yet how Cal wished they could be friends. Cal talks about how Andre died, how brave he was, and that he was bitter about it. Cal then says “I’m beginning to feel your disapproval and it’s making me ill. Sorry, old friend. I blew it (McNally 3). After this, he too lets go of his balloon and walks