Like other women, Ruth is expected to keep her baby. Typically people are excited when they are expecting, but the harsh reality of the matter is that the Younger family does not have the means or the room to raise another child. “Where is he going to live, on the roof?” (58).
When Walter is told of her plan to abort the baby, he does not believe it. He expects her to be like most women and be happy for the pregnancy. He can not fathom the idea that she would even think about getting rid of the baby. But, “when the world gets ugly enough —a woman will do any- thing for her family. The part thats already living.” (75).
In response to the information she has divulged, Mama expects Walter to be more like his father. She asks him to accomplish an unrealistic task, “Be the man he was” (75). She wants him to stand up, put his foot down, and fight for his family. She waits, but he will not, he can not. In complete and utter frustration and disappointment, she exclaims, “you are a disgrace to your father's memory” (75).
Also, Beneatha has expectations placed on her by Asagai. "For a woman it should be enough," he states once during a conversation with Beneatha about their relationship (64). He is talking about love, some form of it at least, but really it doesn't matter what he is talking about. The sentence in itself is prejudiced, and it represents Asagai's expectation that Beneatha should be just like every other woman he's ever encountered--an expectation which she has no intention of fulfilling.
ReplyDeleteNot only are these instances of where characters desire high expectations but, when considering all aspects, Walter has very high expectations for Ruth to support his decisions in life throughout the entire play. He wants to portray the figure of a hard-working and hard-earning man who worked for everything he has in life, as well as the provider for his family. So that he does not feel any less of a man, he has an expectation that Ruth should provide him with unconditional support.
ReplyDeleteWalter's expectations certainly raises an argument to how supportive he is. It is evident that the opinions of his family are not important to him. He believes that his wishes are larger than those of his family. He seems to surmise unrealistic ideas he has for his family instead of agreeing or endorsing the forethought of each individual Younger.
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