Throughout the novel, the romantic relationships between major characters serve as a central theme. Each protagonist who is part of a relationship suffers a conflict because of it.
The first scene shows the reader how strained the relationship is between Ruth and Walter Lee. The two immediately start bickering once they're awake and reminisce on how their relationship used to be--before it became the deteriorated version it is now. "Just for second it was - - you looked real young again," Walter states in the morning while Ruth is stirring eggs. "It's gone now - - you look like yourself again!" (27) Through this statement, Walter demonstrates that their relationship is not what it once was, foreshadowing the bigger problems that are to come for the couple.
Another relationship that complicates matters is the one between Mama and Big Walter Lee. Though the latter is no longer living, this relationship still has a big impact on the events of the novel. Mama talks of Walter as of he is still alive, and remembers him fondly. "I remember just as well the day me and Big Walter moved in here." (44). She even bases some of her decisions off of what she thinks he would have done--this relationship definitely impacts the plot.
Finally, the relationship between Beneatha and Asagai creates its own form of drama. The two have little fights that touch on big issues like cultural appropriation and sexism. "I am not an assimilationist!" protests Beneatha in response to one of Asagai's remarks (63). Just like the other couples in this novel, Beneatha and Asagai have plenty of problems that they must solve, or sacrifice the relationship.
All of the relationships in the novel are strained in some way, and this strain feeds the fuel of the major conflicts in the story.
Beneatha also has another complication with George. The Younger's want her to date George because he is rich. She gives it a try but she has no interest in him and they are always in an argument. Finally Beneatha says to Mama, "George is a fool--honest"(page 97). Beneatha ends up not seeing George anymore.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to romantic relationships, there are other relationships within the family that cause conflict. Two major conflicts Walter is involved in are with his mother and his sister. He doesn't approve of Beneatha's decision to go to medical school, but her mind is made up. As for Walter's relationship with Mama, the two have had a bit of a rocky road since Big Walter passed. Mama doesn't approve of his dream to invest in a liquor business. He is frustrated by the fact that Mama makes all the major family decisions. As the man of the house, he wants to be the head of the house too, but he doesn't feel like she is letting him fill that role.
ReplyDeleteAdding on to what Nick said, the family views their own personal gains over anything Beneatha might benefit by a romantic entanglement with a fellow poor citizen rather than a rich man she has no desire for. George was a wealthy man but had no qualities that Beneatha found as genuinely interesting.
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