Picnic

Eighteen-year-old Madge’s stunning beauty defines her to those around her. Other women assume that Madge’s looks make her bulletproof. For instance, Millie insists that because Madge is pretty, name-calling can’t hurt her. Rosemary asserts that young, beautiful girls like Madge don’t have any problems.

Madge’s beauty is nevertheless a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it gives her privilege and the attention and favor of others—particularly men. However, Madge doesn’t get to choose whose attention she attracts, and men constantly sexualize her. Bomber, the paper boy, harasses her every time he comes to the house. Howard is old enough to be her father, but he openly admits that he fantasizes about her sexually, believing that this is acceptable as long as he doesn’t act on his desire. Even Alan, her boyfriend, sees her as a trophy. Meanwhile, other women resent Madge, and her mother sees her beauty as a ticket to a comfortable marriage.

Madge is insecure about her intelligence and identity because she has only ever been praised for her face. Before she meets Hal, she is dissatisfied with her life. Her retail job bores her, and she dreams of being rescued. She feels like she doesn’t belong with Alan and his friends.