To What Degree Does Jo Mature and Become Less Dependent on Others?

From dependence to independence. To what degree does Jo mature and

become less dependent on others?

Jo and her mother Helen move into a run down old flat where Jo starts

a new life. At the beginning of the play Jo is rude towards her

mother. Jo is dependent. She lives with her mother, is in school and

has no money. She has no friends and is immature. Jo is insecure,

isolated and vulnerable. Towards the end of the play she becomes less

dependent on her mother and more dependent on Geof and she becomes

more independent than what she was at the start of the play. Towards

the end of the play Jo becomes more mature. Jo seeks a lot of

attention and affection especially at the beginning of the play.

Jo is talented at art. “I didn’t realise I had such a talented

daughter,” her mother said. “Look at that. It’s good, isn’t it? Jo

answers “I’m not just talented, I’m geniused.” She is interested in

gardening. We see her planting some bulbs. “It’s nice to see a few

flowers.” She does not like the flat and she complains about its

condition “And I don’t like it.” Also she says. “You can afford

something better than this old ruin.” She also wonders what it will be

like in the summer. “I wonder what it’ll be like in the summer. I bet

it’ll smell.” Jo wraps her scarf around an unshaded light bulb and at

the same time she notices that the roof is leaking. Although Helen

admits the flat is in a bit of a mess Jo continues to critise her

mother for rushing into decisions. “You always rush off into things.

You never think.” It is at this point we learn that they have had to

move frequently. Jo complains that the river smells Helen mentions the

slaughter house and says, “The whole city smells.” Jo does not expect

much from life. She is fed up of moving from place to place and going

to too many different schools. “I’ve had enough of school. Too many

different schools and too many different places. That’s all we do,

live out of a travelling bag.” As a result of the frequent changes of

address she appears to be isolated and lonely with few friends.

Jo and Helen do not have a proper relationship. They argue a lot. Jo

speaks rudely to her mother. Helen says. “Well! This is the place.” Jo

answers back. “And I don’t like it!” Also when Helen asks her to pass

the bottle Jo says. “Why should I run around after you.