Self image is huge part of this play. Ruth is all about her physical image. She has to dress in tight sweaters, she won't go anywhere without make-up on, she just always have to look good. She also doesn't like to claim or be associated with Tillie, her sister because people laugh at Tillie. Beatrice pretty much is the way she is because of her self-image. She tells her kids how popular she was in high school, just to make herself look better because in reality people made fun of her, they called her Betty the Loon. When Beatrice got dressed up for the science fair she was trying to better her selfimage because she was worried about what everyone will think. Ruth caked a bunch of make up on for the science fair because her image had to look as good as possible.
Everyone in this play faces adversity, just in different ways. Some react negatively to their adversity whereas some react positively. Beatrice lets her bad life bring her down and get to her and now she hates the world. She tries to be better some but she always just reflects on the past and is her own limitation. Tillie however with her adversity handles it very well. She gets bashed a lot mentally and emotionally but it doesn't stop her from exploring and doing what she loves. In the play her mother tells her she should stay home more ( so she can help clean and stuff) but Tillie likes school so much, she proceeds to go. Beatrice attempts to better herself for Tillie's science fair at the school, but then Ruth slaps her in the face with the past and she a mess all over again.
