WAEC Literature in English 2016 Theory — Question 11

Model answer

Mama (Lena Younger) is the matriarch of the Younger family. She takes up the responsibility of leadership after the death of her husband (Big Walter) and works to fulfill their dream. Mama is portrayed as a traditional woman in the play, religious, morally upright, hardworking and supportive. Mama demonstrates love in the play. She works to satisfy her children and with the cheque she is able to satisfy her children's dreams including Ruth's and Travis's. Mama tolerates individual differences of her children. She respects Beneatha's assessment of George Murchison as being arrogant and self centred, telling her daughter not to waste time with such a 'fool'. The Youngers family's closeness is built on Mama's attitude towards everyone. She insists, for instance, that Beneatha put on a robe in the cold morning; she offers to help Ruth in her ironing and does not forget to seek assurance that Travis has had hot oats for breakfast instead of cold cereal. Mama's habit of noticing how Ruth feels and behaves makes Ruth feel like Mama's own daughter. Mama admonishes Ruth to eat well and makes excuses for her to 'stay home from work'. Mama believes in striving to succeed while maintaining her moral boundaries; she rejects Beneatha's progressive but seeming un-Christian sentiments about God, and Ruth's consideration of an abortion disappoints her. Similarly, when Walter comes to her with the idea to invest in a liquor store venture, she condemns the idea and expostulates that she will not have such expenditure that she will not-un-Christian business. Mama pate in each so-un-Christian business. With the arrival of the $10,000 still remaining, her Willy Harris, net, With Willy Harris, net, Willy Harris, With $53,500 still remaining.