Playing with Dolls

Born in McComb, Mississippi, Lynne Irene Bridges Spears married at age 20, taught grade school, and with her then husband Jamie Spears, gave birth to three children: Bryan, now 31; Britney, 26; and Jamie Lynn, 17.

Most sources suggest that Lynne Spears was the driving force behind Britney Spears’ early career, citing that she also sold the story of her youngest child’s (Jamie Lynn Spears) pregnancy to OK! magazine for $1 million dollars.

Of interest to Thinkwriter is Lynne Spears’ early memory, found in the new book by Lynne Spears and Lorilee Craker entitled Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World, released on September 16, 2008.

In chapter two, Spears writes, "One of my earliest memories is Sandra (older sister) playing dolls with her friends; I was her living doll to dress and boss, and they had to make do with plain plastic dolls.”

At first glance, Spears' memory may seem like a trifling remembrance of sisters playing dolls with friends; however, keep in mind that an early recollection is never just an engaging story about a person's childhood. Rather, an earliest memory is a window through which the owner, in time and with correct interpretation, can come to know and understand his or her core belief about life.

So. . . of the millions of events and moments Spears might have recalled from her own childhood, she chooses this one memory, and through it, we are able to appreciate how she views her world right now.

Indeed, when we look behind the curtain of Lynne Spears’ early recollection, we find a clear sense of self-appointed exclusivity, as well as sister-induced exploitation, two rather innocent frames of reference for children, though certainly not so forgiving a perspective when collectively embodied by the adult Spears in dealing with her own “dolls.”

Think about it this way: What does a doll give birth to? Well… other dolls of course; other living dolls; playthings to be dressed and undressed, whether for bossing or for pretending someone is the mommy and someone else (with less power) is the baby. Certainly, each of Lynne Spears’ girl “dolls” has been dressed and undressed in the public eye, whether figuratively or literally; used for fun and also for profit…and not only by their mother.

When the world watched, not so long ago, as Britney Spears' disintegrated in a matter of weeks – losing her husband, her hair, her children, and her sanity, many were surely entertained, though some worried about how her increasingly pitiful, yet cartoon-like drama might end. And when Lynne Spears' younger daughter announced she was pregnant, many questioned how her mother could have missed the likelihood of such an outcome. Could it be that a personal filter of make-believe distorts the line between fantasy and reality? (hmmm...) Besides, dolls that are not made of plastic can always be fixed, right? And everything and anything can be made "all better"…. or at the least, artfully reframed to ensure the longer term health of the family business....yes?

In fact, don’t be surprised when Spears’ new book, exposing various intimate details about all the dolls in the Spears’ family, is turned into one of those "highly anticipated" movies. So, let's think about it. Does making a movie about the Spears' various family dramas have an air of exploitation? ....hmmm. Oh, but not to worry... (we hear the author saying...)"It's only a movie!"