Between The Acts

The mirrors that the actors hold up to the audience during the present-day scene of the pageant are a symbol of the inner self and the internal world within each person; they are also a motif supporting Introspection and Identity. The actors present the mirrors to the audience as the voice on the speaker encourages the audience to “calmly consider ourselves” (94). The voice on the speaker continues that people are essentially the same with the same darkness and the same goodness that they can better take control over if they look within themselves and see their true selves as they are, regardless of circumstances, clothing, or time. Most of the audience members cannot handle seeing themselves in the mirror, showing that most of them hold a deep shame and discomfort in their internal cores and do not want to look so deep into their own selves. The only audience member who embraces looking into the mirror is Mrs. Manresa, who uses the mirror to help her re-apply her makeup and adjust her hair. Her openness to looking in the mirror and playfully doing her makeup shows that she is perfectly accepting of herself and lacks any shame about who she is as a person. After the pageant, Mrs. Swithin and Isa think more about the mirrors and the reflection and understanding of human collectiveness. Though Mrs. Swithin’s curiosity gives way to a return to her daily routine, Isa’s introspection inspires her to confront her husband about their marital issues.