Brighton Beach Memoirs

Many characters in Brighton Beach Memoirs are faced with making difficult choices. For Nora, it is deciding whether to audition for her beloved Broadway play. In Stanley’s case, he must determine whether his desire to evade punishment is worth losing his family. Eugene’s choice is more metaphorical. After he notices his tendency for selfishness, he expresses his hope that he’ll “grow out of it” (104). He must actively choose to improve himself, or he will jeopardize his relationships with his family. Blanche demonstrates the danger of refusing to make choices since when she leaves the issue of Nora’s audition up to Jack, Nora loses trust in her. Blanche sees the negative outcome but cannot immediately change. Blanche’s inability to choose foreshadows what could be in the future for Eugene should he not take an active role in his own future. When Blanche does not choose, she experiences development at a slower rate than the rest of the characters. As she’s fretting about Nora, Eugene is engaging in a healthy conflict with Stanley and Jack and Kate are trying to run the household. Blanche is stuck without a choice to challenge her and drive her forward. Ultimately, the appearance of choice in Brighton Beach Memoirs signifies the advent of change and growth.