Mr. Lindner
SYNTAX AND DICTION
Do some characters ramble on? String together phrases? Speak in fragments? Form their thoughts carefully?
Mr. Lindner does tend to ramble on. He tries to talk to the Younger’s, not including Mama, in a way that he says is peaceful and just. Yet, the entire time he tries to get around saying one simple thing, that he doesn’t want the Younger’s to move in to Clybourne Park. He tries to indirectly say it in ways such as, “But you have to admit that a man, right or wrong, has the right to want to have the neighborhood he lives in a certain kind of way.” He also talks very nervously and with uncertainty, as he says “well” a lot. This use of the word also shows his condescending attitude towards the Younger’s. He never really directly tells them how he feels about their status or the situation they are in, but Walter, Beneatha, and Ruth can clearly tell what he has come to say to them. He also superficially acts polite to them, saying “thank you” a lot, though he becomes increasingly agitated each time the Younger’s offer him something. His speech is never really complete, as he always catches himself when he feels he sounds too offensive, and tries to, again superficially, change the tone of what he is saying and word it in a different way.
Are the sentences simple, compound, complex, compound/complex? Loose, periodic, inverted? Stichomythia? What’s common, what’s rare?
Sentences spoken by Mr. Lindner tend to be a combination of simple, complex, and compound. Because he continually rephrases everything he says, his sentences have multiple clauses. An example of this is, “And as I was saying--I am from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association and we have had it brought to our attention at the last meeting that you people--or at least your mother--has bought a piece of residential property at--four o six Clybourne Street.” This way of putting sentences together firstly shows both that he is being very careful of how he speaks to a family that he feels is on a different level of society than him. It also shows that he is feeling very uncertain and uncomfortable in the situation he is in and what he has to do.
CHARACTERIZATION
Mr. Lindner, 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.”
If the characters are flat, what are their dominant traits? What is their function in the plot? How do they help establish the conflicts in the plot?
The dominant traits of Mr.Lindner include his politeness and his belief that he and his white community are superior to the African American. Instead of threatening the Youngers to not move into the new neighborhood, he believes that they should sit down "and see if we couldn't find some way to work this thing out". Mr. Lindner also tries to persuade the Youngers like he knows what is te best for them and that he is trying to help them while emphasizing that white and black communities don't mix together. By saying "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, web they share a common background...as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our negro families are happier when they live in their own communities", Mr. Lindner brings the issue of prejudism under focus.
If they are static, do their traits intensify or become clearer as the play moves on?
Mr. Lindner is one of the static characters in the story whose trait intensify and become clearer as the play moves on. Mr. Lindner, who is part of the welcoming committee wanted Walter and his family to move out of Clybourne Park. Mr. Lindner even offered to pay Walter’s family more money for them to move out of the community. (“Lindner: Our association is prepared, through the collective effort of all our people, to buy the house from you at a financial gain to our family.”)
What “masks” are the characters wearing? Who is hiding what from whom? When are the masks removed? What causes their removal, and what are the results?
The mask worn by Mr. Lindner is that of an understanding, non-racist person who feels that , “we don’t try hard enough to try to understand the other fellow’s problem.” Yet, in reality, he is actually very hypocritical and superficial. He tries to sound like he is there for the sake of the Younger’s, but he really
means to be there for the sake of the other white people in the community who simply don’t want African Americans living in their community.
List the character traits of the character and the devices, (dress, names, gestures) that help establish these traits.
The character Mr. Lindner is dressed in a suit, which shows his image that he tries to give off as a formal and business like. His name has no special meaning, as he introduces himself just like Walter does, with his first and last name. Yet, it can be seen that both of the men tell their full names, while Ruth and Beneatha are mentioned rather vaguely. This can be seen as the different social stances taken by the two groups of genders, and the more authoritative stance Mr. Lindner feels he can take as a man. Mr. Lindner also acts very polite when talking to the Younger’s. This, if simply read, can be seen as him being formal again, but in context it really shows how he wants to get on their good side and earn their favor in what he is requesting, which is that the Younger’s don’t move in to Clybourne Park. He is also seen as very uncomfortable, as mentioned by Ruth and made apparent by his fragmented speech. This shows his feelings at being in the household of an African American family as a white man, and how he knows that what he is coming to tell them is not very easy to say and that it may not be received well by them is he doesn’t word it right.
Explain the character’s motivations for what they do. What does the character want and does the character effectively get what they want?
Mr. Lindner’s motivation is racial prejudice. He, along with the welcoming committee, is trying to keep the Youngers from moving into Clybourne park
because he believes that “Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities.” He proposes a financial plan, like a buyout, to keep them from moving into their new home. Beneatha says that he must be offering 30 pieces of silver, a biblical allusion about betrayal.
Describe the miscalculations a character makes and the effect they have.
Lindner visited Walter’s family and was ready to propose a compromise with his family if they are willing to move out of the house. However, the Younger family felt that that wasn’t necessary and rejected Lindner’s offer. (“Walter: We don't want to hear no terms of no arrangements. I want to know if you got any more to tell us ‘bout getting together?”) ← he thought that the family would appreciate his offer right?
How does the character change and intensify through each major unit of the play?
Mr. Lindner didn’t change much or intensify through each major unity of the play, because he was a static character in the story. His motivation was still the same and still wanted the Younger family to move out of the community. (“Lindner: You just can’t force people to change their hearts, son.”)
EXCERPT:
Man: Uh--how do you do, miss. I am looking for a Mrs.--Mr. Lena Younger?
Beneatha: Oh-yes, that’s my mother. Excuse me. Ruth! Brother! (There's a white man at the
door!) Un--come in please.
Man: Thank you.
Beneatha: My mother isn’t here just now. Is it business?
Man: Yes ... well, of a sort.
Walter: Have a seat. I’m Mrs. Younger’s son. I look after most of her business matters.
Man: Well--my name is Karl Lindner ...
Walter: Walter Younger. This is my wife--and my sister.
Lindner: How do you do.
Walter: What can we do for you, Mr. Linder!
Lindner: Well--I am a representative of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association--
Walter: Why don’t you sit your things on the floor?
Lindner: Oh--yes. Thank you. As I was saying--I am from the Clybourne Improvement Association and we have had it brought to our attention at the last meeting that you people--or at least your mother--has bought a piece of residential property at-- four o six Clybourne Street ...
Walter: That’s right. Care for something to drink? Ruth, get Mr. Lindner a beer.
Lindner: Oh--no, really. I mean thank you very much, but no thank you.
Ruth: Some coffee?
Lindner: Thank you, nothing at all.
Lindner: Well, I don’t know how much you folks know about our organization. It is one of these community organizations set up to look after--oh, you know, things like block upkeep and special projects and we also have what we call our New Neighbors Orientation Committee ...
Beneatha: Yes-and what do they do?
Lindner: Well--it’s what you might call a sort of welcoming committee. I guess. I mean they, we--I’m the chairman of the committee--go around and see the new people who move into the neighborhood and sort of give them the lowdown on the way we do things in Clybourne Park.
Beneatha: Un-huh.
Lindner: And we also have the category of what the association calls--uh--special community ...
Beneatha: Yes--and what are those?
Walter: Girl, let the man talk.
Lindner: Thank you. I would sort of like to explain this thing in my own way. I mean I want to explain to you in a certain way.
Walter: Go ahead.
Lindner: Yes. Well. I’m going to try to get to the point. I’m sure we’ll all appreciate that in the long run.
Beneatha: Yes.
Walter: Be still no!
Lindner: Well--
Ruth: Would you like another chair--you don’t look comfortable.
Lindner: No, thank you very much. Please. Well--to get right to the point I--I am sure you people must be aware of some incidents which have happened in various parts of the city when colored people have moved into certain areas--Well--because we have what I think is going to be a unique type of organization in American community life--not only do we deplore that kind of thing--but er are trying to do something about it. We feel--we feel that most of the trouble in this world, when you come right down to it--most of the trouble exists because people just don’t sit down and talk to each other.
Ruth: You can say that again, mister.
Lindner: That we don’t try hard enough in this world to understand the other fellow’s problem. the other guy’s point of view.
Ruth: Now that’s right.
Lindner: Yes--that’s the way we feel out in Clybourne Park. And that’s why I was elected to come here this afternoon and talk to you people. Friendly like, you know, the way people should talk to each other and see if we couldn’t find some way to work this thing out. As I say, the whole business is a matter of caring about the other fellow. Anybody can see that you are a nice family of folks, hardworking and honest I’m sure. Today everybody knows what it means to be on the outside of something. And of course, there is always somebody who is out to take advantage of people who don’t always understand.
Walter: What do you mean?
Lindner: Well--you see our community is made up of people who’ve worked hard as the dickens for years to build up that little community. They’re not rich and fancy people; just hard-working, honest people who don’t really have much but those little homes and a dream of the kind of community they want to raise their children in. Now, I don’t say we are perfect and there is a lot wrong in some of the things they want. But you’ve got to admit that a man, right or wrong, has the right to want to have the neighborhood he lives in a certain way. And at the moment the overwhelming majority of our people out there feel that people get along a lot 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 simple doesn’t enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne 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.
Beneatha: This, friends, is the Welcoming Committee!
Walter: Is this what you came marching all the way over here to tell us?
Lindner: Well, now we’ve been having a fine conversation. I hope you’ll hear me all the way through.
Walter: Go ahead, man.
Lindner: You see--in face of all the things I have said, we are prepared to make your family a very generous offer ...
Beneatha: Thirty pieces and not a coin less! (BIBLICAL ALLUSION!!)
Walter: Yeah?
Lindner: Our association is prepared, through the collective effort of all our people, to buy the house from you at a financial gain to our family.
Ruth: Lord have mercy, ain’t this the living gall!
Walter: All right, you through?
Lindner: Well, I want to give you the exact terms of the financial arrangements--
Walter: We don't want to hear no terms of no arrangements. I want to know if you got any more to tell us ‘bout getting together?
Lindner: Well-I don’t suppose that you feel...
Walter: Never mind how I feel--you got any more to say ‘bout how people ought to sit down and talk to each other? ... Get out of my house, man.
Lindner: Well--I don’t understand why you people are reacting this way. What do you think you are going to gain by moving into a neighborhood where you just aren’t wanted and where some elements--well--people can get awful worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everyhting they’ve ever worked for is threatened.
Walter: Get out.
Lindner: You just can’t force people to change their hearts, son.
Analysis
The use of syntax in the dialogues with Mr. Lindner defines Karl Lindner as a gentleman who, like many others in the society of the time, believes that race should be segregated. He is polite; however, he does indirectly insult the Youngers without himself realizing it. Lindner believes that he is actually helping the Youngers by persuading them to move out of the neighborhood since they and black and does not fit into the white society. He tries to justify what he is saying by offering milder explanations as to why the Younger’s really shouldn’t move into Clybourne Park. He constantly says “well” before offering such explanations, hinting at an uncomfortable tone whenever he speaks. He also continually re-words what he says trying to sound like caring and sympathetic towards the Younger’s. Many of the words he says are also italicized, showing that he is trying to emphasize some parts and indirectly make a point to the Younger’s without sounding racist or rude.
Mr. Lindner does tend to ramble on. He tries to talk to the Younger’s, not including Mama, in a way that he says is peaceful and just. Yet, the entire time he tries to get around saying one simple thing, that he doesn’t want the Younger’s to move in to Clybourne Park. He tries to indirectly say it in ways such as, “But you have to admit that a man, right or wrong, has the right to want to have the neighborhood he lives in a certain kind of way.” He also talks very nervously and with uncertainty, as he says “well” a lot. This use of the word also shows his condescending attitude towards the Younger’s. He never really directly tells them how he feels about their status or the situation they are in, but Walter, Beneatha, and Ruth can clearly tell what he has come to say to them. He also superficially acts polite to them, saying “thank you” a lot, though he becomes increasingly agitated each time the Younger’s offer him something. His speech is never really complete, as he always catches himself when he feels he sounds too offensive, and tries to, again superficially, change the tone of what he is saying and word it in a different way.
Are the sentences simple, compound, complex, compound/complex? Loose, periodic, inverted? Stichomythia? What’s common, what’s rare?
Sentences spoken by Mr. Lindner tend to be a combination of simple, complex, and compound. Because he continually rephrases everything he says, his sentences have multiple clauses. An example of this is, “And as I was saying--I am from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association and we have had it brought to our attention at the last meeting that you people--or at least your mother--has bought a piece of residential property at--four o six Clybourne Street.” This way of putting sentences together firstly shows both that he is being very careful of how he speaks to a family that he feels is on a different level of society than him. It also shows that he is feeling very uncertain and uncomfortable in the situation he is in and what he has to do.
CHARACTERIZATION
Mr. Lindner, 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.”
If the characters are flat, what are their dominant traits? What is their function in the plot? How do they help establish the conflicts in the plot?
The dominant traits of Mr.Lindner include his politeness and his belief that he and his white community are superior to the African American. Instead of threatening the Youngers to not move into the new neighborhood, he believes that they should sit down "and see if we couldn't find some way to work this thing out". Mr. Lindner also tries to persuade the Youngers like he knows what is te best for them and that he is trying to help them while emphasizing that white and black communities don't mix together. By saying "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, web they share a common background...as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our negro families are happier when they live in their own communities", Mr. Lindner brings the issue of prejudism under focus.
If they are static, do their traits intensify or become clearer as the play moves on?
Mr. Lindner is one of the static characters in the story whose trait intensify and become clearer as the play moves on. Mr. Lindner, who is part of the welcoming committee wanted Walter and his family to move out of Clybourne Park. Mr. Lindner even offered to pay Walter’s family more money for them to move out of the community. (“Lindner: Our association is prepared, through the collective effort of all our people, to buy the house from you at a financial gain to our family.”)
What “masks” are the characters wearing? Who is hiding what from whom? When are the masks removed? What causes their removal, and what are the results?
The mask worn by Mr. Lindner is that of an understanding, non-racist person who feels that , “we don’t try hard enough to try to understand the other fellow’s problem.” Yet, in reality, he is actually very hypocritical and superficial. He tries to sound like he is there for the sake of the Younger’s, but he really
means to be there for the sake of the other white people in the community who simply don’t want African Americans living in their community.
List the character traits of the character and the devices, (dress, names, gestures) that help establish these traits.
The character Mr. Lindner is dressed in a suit, which shows his image that he tries to give off as a formal and business like. His name has no special meaning, as he introduces himself just like Walter does, with his first and last name. Yet, it can be seen that both of the men tell their full names, while Ruth and Beneatha are mentioned rather vaguely. This can be seen as the different social stances taken by the two groups of genders, and the more authoritative stance Mr. Lindner feels he can take as a man. Mr. Lindner also acts very polite when talking to the Younger’s. This, if simply read, can be seen as him being formal again, but in context it really shows how he wants to get on their good side and earn their favor in what he is requesting, which is that the Younger’s don’t move in to Clybourne Park. He is also seen as very uncomfortable, as mentioned by Ruth and made apparent by his fragmented speech. This shows his feelings at being in the household of an African American family as a white man, and how he knows that what he is coming to tell them is not very easy to say and that it may not be received well by them is he doesn’t word it right.
Explain the character’s motivations for what they do. What does the character want and does the character effectively get what they want?
Mr. Lindner’s motivation is racial prejudice. He, along with the welcoming committee, is trying to keep the Youngers from moving into Clybourne park
because he believes that “Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities.” He proposes a financial plan, like a buyout, to keep them from moving into their new home. Beneatha says that he must be offering 30 pieces of silver, a biblical allusion about betrayal.
Describe the miscalculations a character makes and the effect they have.
Lindner visited Walter’s family and was ready to propose a compromise with his family if they are willing to move out of the house. However, the Younger family felt that that wasn’t necessary and rejected Lindner’s offer. (“Walter: We don't want to hear no terms of no arrangements. I want to know if you got any more to tell us ‘bout getting together?”) ← he thought that the family would appreciate his offer right?
How does the character change and intensify through each major unit of the play?
Mr. Lindner didn’t change much or intensify through each major unity of the play, because he was a static character in the story. His motivation was still the same and still wanted the Younger family to move out of the community. (“Lindner: You just can’t force people to change their hearts, son.”)
EXCERPT:
Man: Uh--how do you do, miss. I am looking for a Mrs.--Mr. Lena Younger?
Beneatha: Oh-yes, that’s my mother. Excuse me. Ruth! Brother! (There's a white man at the
door!) Un--come in please.
Man: Thank you.
Beneatha: My mother isn’t here just now. Is it business?
Man: Yes ... well, of a sort.
Walter: Have a seat. I’m Mrs. Younger’s son. I look after most of her business matters.
Man: Well--my name is Karl Lindner ...
Walter: Walter Younger. This is my wife--and my sister.
Lindner: How do you do.
Walter: What can we do for you, Mr. Linder!
Lindner: Well--I am a representative of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association--
Walter: Why don’t you sit your things on the floor?
Lindner: Oh--yes. Thank you. As I was saying--I am from the Clybourne Improvement Association and we have had it brought to our attention at the last meeting that you people--or at least your mother--has bought a piece of residential property at-- four o six Clybourne Street ...
Walter: That’s right. Care for something to drink? Ruth, get Mr. Lindner a beer.
Lindner: Oh--no, really. I mean thank you very much, but no thank you.
Ruth: Some coffee?
Lindner: Thank you, nothing at all.
Lindner: Well, I don’t know how much you folks know about our organization. It is one of these community organizations set up to look after--oh, you know, things like block upkeep and special projects and we also have what we call our New Neighbors Orientation Committee ...
Beneatha: Yes-and what do they do?
Lindner: Well--it’s what you might call a sort of welcoming committee. I guess. I mean they, we--I’m the chairman of the committee--go around and see the new people who move into the neighborhood and sort of give them the lowdown on the way we do things in Clybourne Park.
Beneatha: Un-huh.
Lindner: And we also have the category of what the association calls--uh--special community ...
Beneatha: Yes--and what are those?
Walter: Girl, let the man talk.
Lindner: Thank you. I would sort of like to explain this thing in my own way. I mean I want to explain to you in a certain way.
Walter: Go ahead.
Lindner: Yes. Well. I’m going to try to get to the point. I’m sure we’ll all appreciate that in the long run.
Beneatha: Yes.
Walter: Be still no!
Lindner: Well--
Ruth: Would you like another chair--you don’t look comfortable.
Lindner: No, thank you very much. Please. Well--to get right to the point I--I am sure you people must be aware of some incidents which have happened in various parts of the city when colored people have moved into certain areas--Well--because we have what I think is going to be a unique type of organization in American community life--not only do we deplore that kind of thing--but er are trying to do something about it. We feel--we feel that most of the trouble in this world, when you come right down to it--most of the trouble exists because people just don’t sit down and talk to each other.
Ruth: You can say that again, mister.
Lindner: That we don’t try hard enough in this world to understand the other fellow’s problem. the other guy’s point of view.
Ruth: Now that’s right.
Lindner: Yes--that’s the way we feel out in Clybourne Park. And that’s why I was elected to come here this afternoon and talk to you people. Friendly like, you know, the way people should talk to each other and see if we couldn’t find some way to work this thing out. As I say, the whole business is a matter of caring about the other fellow. Anybody can see that you are a nice family of folks, hardworking and honest I’m sure. Today everybody knows what it means to be on the outside of something. And of course, there is always somebody who is out to take advantage of people who don’t always understand.
Walter: What do you mean?
Lindner: Well--you see our community is made up of people who’ve worked hard as the dickens for years to build up that little community. They’re not rich and fancy people; just hard-working, honest people who don’t really have much but those little homes and a dream of the kind of community they want to raise their children in. Now, I don’t say we are perfect and there is a lot wrong in some of the things they want. But you’ve got to admit that a man, right or wrong, has the right to want to have the neighborhood he lives in a certain way. And at the moment the overwhelming majority of our people out there feel that people get along a lot 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 simple doesn’t enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne 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.
Beneatha: This, friends, is the Welcoming Committee!
Walter: Is this what you came marching all the way over here to tell us?
Lindner: Well, now we’ve been having a fine conversation. I hope you’ll hear me all the way through.
Walter: Go ahead, man.
Lindner: You see--in face of all the things I have said, we are prepared to make your family a very generous offer ...
Beneatha: Thirty pieces and not a coin less! (BIBLICAL ALLUSION!!)
Walter: Yeah?
Lindner: Our association is prepared, through the collective effort of all our people, to buy the house from you at a financial gain to our family.
Ruth: Lord have mercy, ain’t this the living gall!
Walter: All right, you through?
Lindner: Well, I want to give you the exact terms of the financial arrangements--
Walter: We don't want to hear no terms of no arrangements. I want to know if you got any more to tell us ‘bout getting together?
Lindner: Well-I don’t suppose that you feel...
Walter: Never mind how I feel--you got any more to say ‘bout how people ought to sit down and talk to each other? ... Get out of my house, man.
Lindner: Well--I don’t understand why you people are reacting this way. What do you think you are going to gain by moving into a neighborhood where you just aren’t wanted and where some elements--well--people can get awful worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everyhting they’ve ever worked for is threatened.
Walter: Get out.
Lindner: You just can’t force people to change their hearts, son.
Analysis
The use of syntax in the dialogues with Mr. Lindner defines Karl Lindner as a gentleman who, like many others in the society of the time, believes that race should be segregated. He is polite; however, he does indirectly insult the Youngers without himself realizing it. Lindner believes that he is actually helping the Youngers by persuading them to move out of the neighborhood since they and black and does not fit into the white society. He tries to justify what he is saying by offering milder explanations as to why the Younger’s really shouldn’t move into Clybourne Park. He constantly says “well” before offering such explanations, hinting at an uncomfortable tone whenever he speaks. He also continually re-words what he says trying to sound like caring and sympathetic towards the Younger’s. Many of the words he says are also italicized, showing that he is trying to emphasize some parts and indirectly make a point to the Younger’s without sounding racist or rude.