“'Night Mother,” by Marsha Norman, is a play that delves into the struggles of a mother and her daughter. First performed in 1983, the play became a major hit both on Broadway, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and was first performed as a play. (Spencer, p. 1) Jessie is a middle-aged woman, who is divorced, has moved back in with her mother, and is struggling with what she believes to be a failed life. Thelma, Jessie's mother, realizes that Jessie wants to kill herself because of Jessie's comments. Thelma desperately tries to convince her daughter not to kill herself; however, she is unable to convince Jessie. Jessie believes she hasn't reached the potential her family wanted her to be; therefore, making him a failure in his marriage, in his relationship with his son and for his entire life. After Jessie and Thelma talk about funeral arrangements, Jessie leaves to kill herself. The play ends with Jessie saying, “Night Mother.” and a shot is fired, as Thelma realizes there was nothing she could do. (Norman, p. 18) The script of the play is very specific about how the actors are supposed to act, what the setting is supposed to look like, the tone the actors should have when playing the role of Jessie and Thelma, the atmosphere and vibe that the room is supposed to have. The script gives all the details of what the house should look like and states that the house should be more "...cozy than messy." Making the setting look like a comfortable home creates an atmosphere that many in the audience would consider a feeling of homeliness. (Norman, p. 1) With guidance from Marsha Norman, the play's author, she shows how she envisions the play being performed and introduced into audiences' lives...... middle of paper... ..tp://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/schools/ngaston/faculty/jslee/Course%20Outline%20and%20Syllabus/'night%20Mother.pdf>.Rich, Frank. “THEATHER: TALK ABOUT SUICIDE IN “NIGHT MOTHER”” The New York Times. TheNew York Times, March 31, 1983. Web. April 27, 2014./04/01/theater/theater-suicide-talk-in-night-mother.html>.Rosefeldt, Paul. Master intrigues. 4th ed. Np: Salem, 2010. ACC Library Services. Internet. April 27, 2014.40cdbe7d79bdfb1e263a%40sessionmgr4005&hid=4210&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#db=lfh&AN=103331MP423639820000191>.Spence r, nny S. "Norman's Night, Mother: Psycho-drama Feminine Identity." Norman's Night, Mother: Feminine Identity Psycho-drama. Unknown publisher, September 3, 1983. Web. April 27. 2014. .