Do you think Carl used to beat Mama?

[Frump]

Ok I never thought of Mama as being the type who would put up with a man who beats her, but it seems indicated that he did.

Like the time when Bubba got drunk, he and Mama are having a conversation and Bubba mentions alchol making you hurt the ones who love you, and Mama says, "Yeah I've got the scares to prove that." It just kinda sounded like Carl maybe got drunk and beat her sometimes.


Also on a Family Sketch in a flash back scene to when Eunice was dating Ed Mama is yelling at Carl while he's in the bathroom and he says, "GET OUT THAT DOOR OR I'LL KNOCK YOU THROUGH IT!!!" And she promptly GOT OUT like she KNEW he was serious.

And also on a Family sketch Mama is recalling back to the day Carl died, and they were in a fight and she she said he went into the bathroom and said, "I'll tend to you when I come out of this bathroom!" So what else could he have meant?

[*ROGER*]

I always thought Mama was talking about the emotional scars that came along with Carl's drinking. I never got a vibe that she was a battered wife.

[Frump]

Originally Posted by *ROGER*

I always thought Mama was talking about the emotional scars that came along with Carl's drinking. I never got a vibe that she was a battered wife.

I don't really see her as battered wife I mean I don't see him as BEATING her like all the time, BUT I wouldn't be surprised if he maybe gave her a SLAP every now and then. Not that that's ok, that is wrong too, but as sad as it is that WAS pretty commun back then I think.

In a LOT of respects I think in the old days a husband hitting their wife was almost comparable to a parent hitting their child is nowdays.

Like if you severly beat your child you're looked at as an abuser, BUT if you just give you child a swat every now and then, it's just looked at as dscipline.

I think back in the older times if a man beat his wife severly he would be looked at as an abuser, but if he just hit her occasionally I don't think it was looked at as a big deal.

[OH Nuts!]

Feisty as Mama was, if he'd tried that she would've taken a frying pan to him. So, the short answer: no.

[Frump]

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Feisty as Mama was, if he'd tried that she would've taken a frying pan to him. So, the short answer: no.

That's what I would have thought too, but there just seems to be indication that he did. There was indication that she DID have fear of him, like the one I mentioned about him threatening to "knock her through the door" she got RIGHT OUT of the bathroom like she knew he meant busniess. It's like she knew she could push him SO FAR, but then knew when to back down.


It's funny though the way she described her marriage with Carl, sometimes she talked about it as if she had a romantic, lovey-dovey marriage and Carl was a sweet man, then OTHER times she described it as a living hell and made Carl sound like a complete jerk.

Like once instance she talks about him whitling a X-mas star for her out of wood and telling something sweet and romantic like that was THEIR special star, and talks about him sending her flowers from beyond the grave.

THEN...


She recalls back to the time he wouldn't even drive her to the hospital when she was pregnant with Ellen.

[Sterling Holobyte]

Originally Posted by *ROGER*

I always thought Mama was talking about the emotional scars that came along with Carl's drinking. I never got a vibe that she was a battered wife.

I've never thought of Carl hitting her, and I can't see it. Mama was as hot-headed when she was younger as she was when she got older, and I can't see her let anyone lay a hand on her.

[Sterling Holobyte]

Originally Posted by Frump

It's funny though the way she described her marriage with Carl, sometimes she talked about it as if she had a romantic, lovey-dovey marriage and Carl was a sweet man, then OTHER times she described it as a living hell and made Carl sound like a complete jerk.

That's pretty much ALL marriages.
There are good times and bad times.
For richer & for poorer. For better & for worse.

[MikeLutton]

i think mama use to beat carl lol

[Frump]

I think it SEEMED to be more implied in the Carol Burnett sketches than on Mama's Family.


To me Mama acted like Eunice when she was younger.