Mama
SYNTAX AND DICTION
Do some characters ramble on? String together phrases? Speak in fragments? Form their thoughts carefully?
Mama speaks very clearly and confidently. She knows her place in the family, as can be seen by the quote, “There are some ideas we are not going to have in this house. Not as long as I am head of this family.” Yet, she also knows her place as defined by society. When wondering about what to do with the $10 thousand dollars she is about to receive, she says, “Something always told me I wasn’t no rich white woman.” She says this after Ruth suggests she take the money and travel somewhere. This passage also shows the different values and worries Mama has as compared to the average white person. Mama also talks with a certain diction that is common among lower class African Americans, especially in the North. She commonly uses phrases like “ain’t”, “‘round”, and “I reckon”.
Are the sentences simple, compound, complex, compound/complex? Loose, periodic, inverted? Stichomythia? What’s common, what’s rare?
Sentences spoken by Mama are relatively simple in the story, as most of her dialogue is spoken for small conversations. This is different during serious or pivotal moments in the play, such as the time Beneatha says she doesn’t believe in God,or when she talks to her son about his aspirations and dreams of what he is going to do with the money. These scenes are also when the dialogue is much less constant than the other passages. Sometimes the characters, such as Mama, will talk fast, then they will talk at a much slower pace, sometimes with long pauses for emphasis of the situation. Stichomythia isometimes present in the story, especially with Mama. An example of this is when mama is telling Ruth where their new house is. She talks in short, one word answers. This is because she is hesitant of telling her son Walter about the house while at the same time Ruth is ecstatic about the new house. Her speech speeds up when Walter gets upset about living in Clybourne Park. This shows her belief in equality. She doesn’t see anything wrong with having to live in a white neighborhood, seeing the dream of having a house as more of the purpose of buying the house.
MAMA’S CHARACTERIZATION
Lena Younger is a round character who is revealed as the head of the family at the beginning of the play until Walter becomes more mature. She cares for her children in her own way and supports them when they needed her. At first it seems like Mama is a stubborn woman who have strict beliefs and standards for her children since there are generation gaps between them and their belief; however, as the plot progresses on, it is obvious that she wants the best for her children and that she would support them in life. In the play, Mama is a very faithful and religious person, who cares a lot about her children. In Act I Scene I of the play, Mama was in a conversation with Ruth and said, “Now don’t you start, child. It’s too early in the morning to be talking about money. It ain’t Christian.” and in Act II, Scene II, “Bless God.”She also wants the best for her children, and doesn’t care as much for money and other materials as her son does. For Mrs. Johnson, her character can be described as hypocritical, someone who isn’t largely affected by society and always has something to say about others. In Act II Scene II, as she visited the Younger family, she said, “I know-but sometimes she act like ain’t got time to pass the time of day with nobody ain’t been to college. Oh- I ain’t criticizing her none. It’s just- you know how some of our young people gets when they get a little education.” And, regarding Mr. Lindner, he feels that he, along with the welcoming committee, is superior to Walter’s family because of racial differences. In Act II, Scene II, Lindner visited the family and told them, “And at the moment the overwhelming majority of our people out there feel that people get along better, take more of a common interest in the life of the community, when they share a common background. I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesn’t enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities.”
Explain the relationship a major character has with the other major characters. Describe the alliances and conflicts the character has with the other characters. Describe the attitudes the character has toward the other characters and their attitudes toward him or her.
One relationship between two major characters is between Mama and Walter. In the beginning of the story, Walter felt that Mama was treating him like a child and felt that no one trusted him in the family. (Dialogue between Mama and Walter: (Walter): I’m a grown man, Mama. (Mama): Ain’t nobody said you wasn’t grown. But you still in my house and my presence. And as long as you are- you’ll talk to your wife civil. Now sit down.) Because they had conflicting views, they were often in disagreements in the beginning of the story. However, as the story progresses, Walter’s attitude towards Mama changed and vice versa as he became more appreciative of her and she became more trusting towards him after they experienced the central conflict of the story. Another relationship that Mama had with another major character in the story is with her daughter, Beneatha. Mama wanted the best for Beneatha, but it seemed that both characters could never understand each other. Beneatha always thought she was mature and understood everything, because she was educated. The conflict between the two characters is the miscommunication that they had. It was changed when Beneatha talked to Mama about George and how she really doesn’t like him and Mama wanted the best for Beneatha and told her that she could do what she felt is right. The tensions between two characters eventually minimized and in the story, Beneatha finally told Mama, “Thanks for understanding.”
List the character traits of the character and the devices, (dress, names, gestures) that help establish these traits.
Mama’s motivation/dream in the story is to have the best for her children. In the play, she gave the remaining insurance money to Walter, because she wanted to trust him and want him to feel that she isn’t treating him like a child. It wasn’t the insurance money that Mama really cared about; she wanted her children to have the best of whatever they can get. The character’s motivations seem to emerge when Walter asked Mama, “You trust me like that, Mama.” And Mama replied, “ I ain’t never stop trusting you. Like I ain’t never stop loving you.”
Describe the miscalculations a character makes and the effect they have.
A miscalculation that Mama made in the story was giving Walter all the money that was left and thought that he would use his judgment to make good use of the money. The effect of this was that Walter invested all the money in the liquor store and eventually lost it. In Act II Scene III, Walter told Mama, ‘Yessss! All of it... It’s all gone...” Although the money was lost in the story, Walter was able to gain experience and maturity through this.
Summarize a scene in which a major character faces a crisis. Explain what we learn about the character from the character’s words and actions.
A scene in which Mama faces a crisis was the scene when Walter told her that he has lost all the money that she gave him. It was difficult for Mama, because she trusted his son, but Walter ended up disappointing her. Although Mama was disappointed, she eventually forgave him and understood him. From this scene, we can learn that Mama is a very forgiving person, who loves her children a lot. She isn’t focused on the money that was lost and cared more about her children’s happiness.
Explain the relationship a major character has with the other major characters. Describe the alliances and conflicts the character has with the other characters. Describe the attitudes the character has toward the other characters and their attitudes toward him or her.
One relationship between two major characters is between Mama and Walter. In the beginning of the story, Walter felt that Mama was treating him like a child and felt that no one trusted him in the family. (Dialogue between Mama and Walter: (Walter): I’m a grown man, Mama. (Mama): Ain’t nobody said you wasn’t grown. But you still in my house and my presence. And as long as you are- you’ll talk to your wife civil. Now sit down.) Because they had conflicting views, they were often in disagreements in the beginning of the story. However, as the story progresses, Walter’s attitude towards Mama changed and vice versa as he became more appreciative of her and she became more trusting towards him after they experienced the central conflict of the story. Another relationship that Mama had with another major character in the story is with her daughter, Beneatha. Mama wanted the best for Beneatha, but it seemed that both characters could never understand each other. Beneatha always thought she was mature and understood everything, because she was educated. The conflict between the two characters is the miscommunication that they had. It was changed when Beneatha talked to Mama about George and how she really doesn’t like him and Mama wanted the best for Beneatha and told her that she could do what she felt is right. The tensions between two characters eventually minimized and in the story, Beneatha finally told Mama, “Thanks for understanding.”
EXCERPT:
Mama: Father, give us strength. Did he threaten us?
Beneatha: Oh - Mama - they don’t do it like that anymore. He talked about Brotherhood. He said everybody ought to learn how to sit down and hate each other with good Christian fellowship.
Mama: Lord, protect us...
Ruth: You should hear the money those folks raised to buy the house from us. All we paid and then some.
Beneatha: What they think we going to do - eat ‘em?
Ruth: No honey, marry ‘em.
Mama: Lord, Lord, Lord...
Ruth: Well - that’s the way the crackers crumble. Joke.
Beneatha:Mama, what are you doing?
Mama: Fixing my plant so it won’t get hurt none on the way...
Beneatha: Mama, you going to take that to the new house?
Mama: Un-huh -
Beneatha: That raggedy-looking old thing?
Mama: It expresses ME!
Ruth: So there, Miss Thing!
(Walter comes in.)
Mama: Look out now boy! You make me mess up my thing here!
Walter: Mama ... your know what it means to climb up in the chariot?
Mama: get on away from me now ...
Ruth: Psst-
Walter: What the old song say, Mama ...
Ruth: Walter - Now?
Walter: I got wings... you got wings... All God’s Children got wings ...
Mama: Boy - get out of my face and do some work ...
Walter: When I get to heaven gonna put on my wings,Gonna fly all over God’s heaven ...
Analysis:
The use of syntax in this passage helps with expressing the mood and tone of this scene. This scene is directly after Mr. Lindner leaves, and despite the fact that he doesn’t want the Younger’s to move in, the Younger’s still aren’t deterred. They are too happy and caught up in the excitement of the possibility of a better life. The syntax is arranged in many different ways. First, Mama continually mentions the Lord. Beneatha speaks mockingly about how she felt
Mr.Lindner was talking to them. Then, the sentences become short, quick, and witty. Mamma keeps saying “Lord protect us”, emphasizing her disbelief of the situation. Rith and Benetha exchange short phrases and jokes. These phrases add to lighten the tone in this scene. Some of the phrases include “Well - that’s the way the crackers crumble. Joke.” This is said by Ruth in spite of how the community in Clybourne Park will most likely treat them. When Walter comes in, his speech is mostly made up of song lyrics. His use of song lyrics in his speech and questions to Mama foreshadow the surprise he has for her and also add to the lightened tone of the scene.
Mama speaks very clearly and confidently. She knows her place in the family, as can be seen by the quote, “There are some ideas we are not going to have in this house. Not as long as I am head of this family.” Yet, she also knows her place as defined by society. When wondering about what to do with the $10 thousand dollars she is about to receive, she says, “Something always told me I wasn’t no rich white woman.” She says this after Ruth suggests she take the money and travel somewhere. This passage also shows the different values and worries Mama has as compared to the average white person. Mama also talks with a certain diction that is common among lower class African Americans, especially in the North. She commonly uses phrases like “ain’t”, “‘round”, and “I reckon”.
Are the sentences simple, compound, complex, compound/complex? Loose, periodic, inverted? Stichomythia? What’s common, what’s rare?
Sentences spoken by Mama are relatively simple in the story, as most of her dialogue is spoken for small conversations. This is different during serious or pivotal moments in the play, such as the time Beneatha says she doesn’t believe in God,or when she talks to her son about his aspirations and dreams of what he is going to do with the money. These scenes are also when the dialogue is much less constant than the other passages. Sometimes the characters, such as Mama, will talk fast, then they will talk at a much slower pace, sometimes with long pauses for emphasis of the situation. Stichomythia isometimes present in the story, especially with Mama. An example of this is when mama is telling Ruth where their new house is. She talks in short, one word answers. This is because she is hesitant of telling her son Walter about the house while at the same time Ruth is ecstatic about the new house. Her speech speeds up when Walter gets upset about living in Clybourne Park. This shows her belief in equality. She doesn’t see anything wrong with having to live in a white neighborhood, seeing the dream of having a house as more of the purpose of buying the house.
MAMA’S CHARACTERIZATION
Lena Younger is a round character who is revealed as the head of the family at the beginning of the play until Walter becomes more mature. She cares for her children in her own way and supports them when they needed her. At first it seems like Mama is a stubborn woman who have strict beliefs and standards for her children since there are generation gaps between them and their belief; however, as the plot progresses on, it is obvious that she wants the best for her children and that she would support them in life. In the play, Mama is a very faithful and religious person, who cares a lot about her children. In Act I Scene I of the play, Mama was in a conversation with Ruth and said, “Now don’t you start, child. It’s too early in the morning to be talking about money. It ain’t Christian.” and in Act II, Scene II, “Bless God.”She also wants the best for her children, and doesn’t care as much for money and other materials as her son does. For Mrs. Johnson, her character can be described as hypocritical, someone who isn’t largely affected by society and always has something to say about others. In Act II Scene II, as she visited the Younger family, she said, “I know-but sometimes she act like ain’t got time to pass the time of day with nobody ain’t been to college. Oh- I ain’t criticizing her none. It’s just- you know how some of our young people gets when they get a little education.” And, regarding Mr. Lindner, he feels that he, along with the welcoming committee, is superior to Walter’s family because of racial differences. In Act II, Scene II, Lindner visited the family and told them, “And at the moment the overwhelming majority of our people out there feel that people get along better, take more of a common interest in the life of the community, when they share a common background. I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesn’t enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities.”
Explain the relationship a major character has with the other major characters. Describe the alliances and conflicts the character has with the other characters. Describe the attitudes the character has toward the other characters and their attitudes toward him or her.
One relationship between two major characters is between Mama and Walter. In the beginning of the story, Walter felt that Mama was treating him like a child and felt that no one trusted him in the family. (Dialogue between Mama and Walter: (Walter): I’m a grown man, Mama. (Mama): Ain’t nobody said you wasn’t grown. But you still in my house and my presence. And as long as you are- you’ll talk to your wife civil. Now sit down.) Because they had conflicting views, they were often in disagreements in the beginning of the story. However, as the story progresses, Walter’s attitude towards Mama changed and vice versa as he became more appreciative of her and she became more trusting towards him after they experienced the central conflict of the story. Another relationship that Mama had with another major character in the story is with her daughter, Beneatha. Mama wanted the best for Beneatha, but it seemed that both characters could never understand each other. Beneatha always thought she was mature and understood everything, because she was educated. The conflict between the two characters is the miscommunication that they had. It was changed when Beneatha talked to Mama about George and how she really doesn’t like him and Mama wanted the best for Beneatha and told her that she could do what she felt is right. The tensions between two characters eventually minimized and in the story, Beneatha finally told Mama, “Thanks for understanding.”
List the character traits of the character and the devices, (dress, names, gestures) that help establish these traits.
Mama’s motivation/dream in the story is to have the best for her children. In the play, she gave the remaining insurance money to Walter, because she wanted to trust him and want him to feel that she isn’t treating him like a child. It wasn’t the insurance money that Mama really cared about; she wanted her children to have the best of whatever they can get. The character’s motivations seem to emerge when Walter asked Mama, “You trust me like that, Mama.” And Mama replied, “ I ain’t never stop trusting you. Like I ain’t never stop loving you.”
Describe the miscalculations a character makes and the effect they have.
A miscalculation that Mama made in the story was giving Walter all the money that was left and thought that he would use his judgment to make good use of the money. The effect of this was that Walter invested all the money in the liquor store and eventually lost it. In Act II Scene III, Walter told Mama, ‘Yessss! All of it... It’s all gone...” Although the money was lost in the story, Walter was able to gain experience and maturity through this.
Summarize a scene in which a major character faces a crisis. Explain what we learn about the character from the character’s words and actions.
A scene in which Mama faces a crisis was the scene when Walter told her that he has lost all the money that she gave him. It was difficult for Mama, because she trusted his son, but Walter ended up disappointing her. Although Mama was disappointed, she eventually forgave him and understood him. From this scene, we can learn that Mama is a very forgiving person, who loves her children a lot. She isn’t focused on the money that was lost and cared more about her children’s happiness.
Explain the relationship a major character has with the other major characters. Describe the alliances and conflicts the character has with the other characters. Describe the attitudes the character has toward the other characters and their attitudes toward him or her.
One relationship between two major characters is between Mama and Walter. In the beginning of the story, Walter felt that Mama was treating him like a child and felt that no one trusted him in the family. (Dialogue between Mama and Walter: (Walter): I’m a grown man, Mama. (Mama): Ain’t nobody said you wasn’t grown. But you still in my house and my presence. And as long as you are- you’ll talk to your wife civil. Now sit down.) Because they had conflicting views, they were often in disagreements in the beginning of the story. However, as the story progresses, Walter’s attitude towards Mama changed and vice versa as he became more appreciative of her and she became more trusting towards him after they experienced the central conflict of the story. Another relationship that Mama had with another major character in the story is with her daughter, Beneatha. Mama wanted the best for Beneatha, but it seemed that both characters could never understand each other. Beneatha always thought she was mature and understood everything, because she was educated. The conflict between the two characters is the miscommunication that they had. It was changed when Beneatha talked to Mama about George and how she really doesn’t like him and Mama wanted the best for Beneatha and told her that she could do what she felt is right. The tensions between two characters eventually minimized and in the story, Beneatha finally told Mama, “Thanks for understanding.”
EXCERPT:
Mama: Father, give us strength. Did he threaten us?
Beneatha: Oh - Mama - they don’t do it like that anymore. He talked about Brotherhood. He said everybody ought to learn how to sit down and hate each other with good Christian fellowship.
Mama: Lord, protect us...
Ruth: You should hear the money those folks raised to buy the house from us. All we paid and then some.
Beneatha: What they think we going to do - eat ‘em?
Ruth: No honey, marry ‘em.
Mama: Lord, Lord, Lord...
Ruth: Well - that’s the way the crackers crumble. Joke.
Beneatha:Mama, what are you doing?
Mama: Fixing my plant so it won’t get hurt none on the way...
Beneatha: Mama, you going to take that to the new house?
Mama: Un-huh -
Beneatha: That raggedy-looking old thing?
Mama: It expresses ME!
Ruth: So there, Miss Thing!
(Walter comes in.)
Mama: Look out now boy! You make me mess up my thing here!
Walter: Mama ... your know what it means to climb up in the chariot?
Mama: get on away from me now ...
Ruth: Psst-
Walter: What the old song say, Mama ...
Ruth: Walter - Now?
Walter: I got wings... you got wings... All God’s Children got wings ...
Mama: Boy - get out of my face and do some work ...
Walter: When I get to heaven gonna put on my wings,Gonna fly all over God’s heaven ...
Analysis:
The use of syntax in this passage helps with expressing the mood and tone of this scene. This scene is directly after Mr. Lindner leaves, and despite the fact that he doesn’t want the Younger’s to move in, the Younger’s still aren’t deterred. They are too happy and caught up in the excitement of the possibility of a better life. The syntax is arranged in many different ways. First, Mama continually mentions the Lord. Beneatha speaks mockingly about how she felt
Mr.Lindner was talking to them. Then, the sentences become short, quick, and witty. Mamma keeps saying “Lord protect us”, emphasizing her disbelief of the situation. Rith and Benetha exchange short phrases and jokes. These phrases add to lighten the tone in this scene. Some of the phrases include “Well - that’s the way the crackers crumble. Joke.” This is said by Ruth in spite of how the community in Clybourne Park will most likely treat them. When Walter comes in, his speech is mostly made up of song lyrics. His use of song lyrics in his speech and questions to Mama foreshadow the surprise he has for her and also add to the lightened tone of the scene.