Tuesday, July 12, 2016

In Act II, Scene I, why does Mama ignore Walter when she comes home? What does this show about their relationship?

When Mama enters in Act II, Scene I, she actually interrupts an intimate moment between Ruth and Walter as they ponder the problems in their relationships over a loving kiss.


Immediately following her entrance, Walter questions her about her whereabouts, and she ignores him, commenting on the stairs instead, “My—them steps is longer than they used to be. Whew!” (533) She then asks Ruth how she is feeling, supposedly directed at her pregnancy. When Walter...

When Mama enters in Act II, Scene I, she actually interrupts an intimate moment between Ruth and Walter as they ponder the problems in their relationships over a loving kiss.


Immediately following her entrance, Walter questions her about her whereabouts, and she ignores him, commenting on the stairs instead, “My—them steps is longer than they used to be. Whew!” (533) She then asks Ruth how she is feeling, supposedly directed at her pregnancy. When Walter asks Mama again where she has been, she doesn’t answer the question. Instead, she asks about Travis’ whereabouts. When she does respond to Walter, it’s more of a subtle hint instead of a direct answer. She says, “I went downtown to tend to some business that I had to tend to” (534). Walter continues his line of questioning, but Mama chides him and says, “You know better than to question me like a child, Brother” (534).


Once Travis arrives home, Ruth sends him to his room as a punishment for coming home late, but Mama insists on talking to him. She shares the news that she bought him a house with his late grandfather’s money. This brings immense joy to Mama, Ruth, and Travis; however, Walter is less than pleased.


Through Mama ignoring Walter, we gain insight to their relationship and Mama’s insecurities. It is obvious that the insurance money is creating somewhat of a divide or barrier in their relationships since fulfilling one of their dreams means leaving the other person’s dream unfulfilled. It wouldn’t be possible for them to buy both a home and liquor store; therefore, someone’s dream must be sacrificed, and both Mama and Walter are clinging to their dreams, unwilling to budge.


On the other hand, this moment of ignoring Walter’s line of questioning - even momentarily - may show that she isn’t 100% certain that she did the right thing and that she may be afraid of disappointing her son. However, whatever uncertainty or doubt she may have had disappeared as soon as she mentioned Big Walter to Travis.


**Please note that the page numbers are coming from a textbook in which the play appears. Actual page numbers may differ; however, all quotes are from the end of Act II, Scene I.**

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