How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Scene.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.
Quote #10
MAMA
No…something has changed. (She looks at him) You something new, boy. In my time we was worried about not being lynched and getting to the North if we could and how to stay alive and still have a pinch of dignity too…Now here come you and Beneatha – talking ‘bout things we ain’t never even thought about hardly, me and your daddy. You ain’t satisfied or proud of nothing we done. I mean that you had a home; that we kept you out of trouble till you was grown; that you don’t have to ride to work on the back of nobody’s streetcar – You my children – but how different we done become. (1.2.231)
Lena feels disconnected with her children because they are so much more easily dissatisfied than she is. From her perspective, they have a lot to be thankful for.
Quote #11
BENEATHA (Laughing herself)
I guess I always think things have more emphasis if they are big, somehow.
RUTH (Looking up at her and smiling)
You and your brother seem to have that as a philosophy of life. (2.3.12-3)
Beneatha and Walter both think big, but in different ways. We kind of get the impression that neither one of them will ever quite be happy with what they have. They'll always want more. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Isn't it good to have goals?
Quote #12
WALTER
What’s the matter with you all! I didn’t make this world! It was give to me this way! Hell, yes, I want me some yachts someday! Yes, I want to hang some real pearls ‘round my wife’s neck. Ain’t she supposed to wear no pearls? Somebody tell me – tell me, who decides which women is suppose to wear pearls in this world. I tell you I am a man – and I think my wife should wear some pearls in this world! (3.1.99)
Walter claims that he is a victim of the world just like his family members are and is incredibly unhappy about the fact that wealth is divided so unfairly. He claims to give in to The Man because he wants more for his family.