SG
Prologue: In the newly found matriarchy of the Younger household, the new widow, Mama, is attempting to find a way to ensure the wellbeing of all the separate but unified members. Mama has yet to find a balance between trust and independence within the male and female members of her growing household. As the women are adapting to the possibility of a new chapter of their lives beginning in a primarily white neighborhood, blooming, the males of the Younger household seem to fear the darkness of the shadows cast by the women and jeopardize the family entirely.
Dialogue: Walter: I was just wondering if you’ve made up your mind and everything. Beneatha: (Gathering in sharpness and impatience) And what did I answer yesterday morning- and the day before that? Chorus: This is the Younger household in the early 1950’s, with Walter attempting to salvage his “masculinity” and his place within his marriage with Ruth. Beneatha is Walter’s younger sister, their interaction could easily be seen as “sibling rivalry”, but it seems to be much deeper rooted than that. Ruth: (From the ironing board, like someone disinterested and old) Don’t be so nasty, Bennie. Beneatha: (Still to her brother) And the day before that and the day before that!
Walter: (Defensively) I’m interested in you. Something wrong with that? Ain’t many girls who decide--Chorus: Walter’s “interest” in Beneatha stems from more than a “brotherly” place. Given Walter’s role as one of the only males in the entire Younger household, seeing a woman aspire strive towards such a position of power societally and professionally triggers his own deep feelings of insecurity, inferiority. Beneatha and Walter: (In unison) “To be a doctor”. (Silence) Walter: Have we figured out yet just exactly how much medical school is going to cost? Chorus: Given the fact that this does take place in the early 1950’s Walter’s condescending attitude toward Beneatha’s path choice would be if she weren’t his sister. Regardless of gender Walter should be supportive of whatever decision she makes instead of projecting his own negative feelings onto her. Ruth: Walter Lee, why don’t you leave that girl alone and get out of here to work? Chorus: Even at this point, aside from the normalcy that happens to be sexism in the 1950’s, Ruth notices that her husband’s intent is to, if not discourage Beneatha of becoming a doctor for the sake of his pride- at very least, pick a fight.