Marissa's Summer Reading

In the beginning of the Act Asagai got Beneatha to come to her senses about what Walter did with money which I think is good because she was over reacting. Then Mama tells the family their not moving because they can fix up the place they have now. And finally Walter decides he wants to take Mr. Lindners offer on the house but then at the last minute changes his mind and they decide to move in. I am glad that Walter didn’t take Mr. Lindners offer because he is showing he is not afraid of what will happen and is doing what is best for his family.

This scene started with the whole family being in a good mood and ready to move into their new house. Their day started going downhill when Mr. Lindner came as head of the “welcoming committee” for their new neighborhood. Mr. Lindner tells the family that he will pay them the money for the house plus extra if they won’t move in. The family decides they are still going to move but their day is still getting worse. Bobo comes to their house next and tells Walter Willy, the man they gave their money to, has stolen their money. Walter decided to take all the money Mama gave him including Beneathas school money and give it to Willy. Walter obviously made the wrong decision because some of the money he used didn’t belong to him. He has also betrayed Mamas trust which will be very hard to earn back. I’m glad the family is still moving because it shows how they stand together.

In this scene the family is getting ready to move by packing their things in crates, Beneatha has just had an argument with George over how much Beneatha talks, and Ms. Johnson came over to the house and was trying to be nice and upbeat but then told Mama the next headline in the paper would be “Negroes Invade Clybourne Park- Bombed”. Next, Ruth gets a call from Mrs. Arnold Walters employer and is at risk of being fired. Surprisingly Walter is trying to be fired.  And finally Mama gives Walter a check with the leftover money. Some is for Beneathas schooling and the rest is for Walter. This makes him exstatic and tells Travis he is going to go to college where ever he wants to and be whatever he wants to. I like this scene because it ends on a positive note unlike the rest of the scenes. I think Mama made the right choice to give the money to Walter and let him know she trusts him because he has made a “life changing decision” to never get drunk again and make a better living for his son.

In every scene there is one main conflict and in this scene it is Mama buying a new house with the $10,000 check. Walter is very angry because he wanted to use the money on a liquor bussiness. But what makes him even more mad is finding out that the house is in a neighborhood where “there ain’t no colored people”. I think Mama made the right decision buying the house but the wrong decision not letting the family know.

In scene 2 the main conflict is Ruths pregnancy. Everyone has different emotions about having this baby. Mama is hoping it’s a girl, Walter won’t disscuss the issue and Ruth wants to get rid of the baby thinking about what’s best for the rest of her family. In this situation I think Mama is right and that Walter is being extremley rude not listening to Ruth to the point that Mama has to tell him before he walks out. This Scene shows how much care Ruth has for her family because she is going to get rid of her baby. Also in this scene the character Asagai has been introduced. He is Beneathas friend who has just gotten back from Canada and has brought her records and colorful Nigerian robes.

Act 1 Scene 1 is focused around 1 main subject, a check. But first we discover there are three generations living under one roof. This includes “Mama” , Beneatha, Walter, Travis and Ruth. I can’t understand how they survived because if that were my house I would have been long gone. But some how they all stayed and we find out about  a large check coming for Mama worth $10,000. Everyone has there own way they want to spend it. Mama wants to spend it on a new house for the family considering the one they live in is extremely small. Beneatha wants to put it toward a fund for college because she has a dream of becoming a doctor. And finally Walter wants to invest in a liquor company while Ruth thinks that it is Mamas money so she should do what she wants with it. I completely agree with Ruth since it is Mamas money. I think Walter and Beneatha are being selfish because they are using the money for themselves while buying a new house would benefit the whole family.