Act 1 Scene 1

Question 1

Marriage problem quotes

Answer 1

1. ‘Something the matter with you this morning’ ‘No’, the lack of proper and sweet communication to care for each other or even continue talking to each other shows how they do not talk things out with each other which can lead to bigger problems in the marriage

Question 2

Marriage problem

Answer 2

2. ‘No scrambled. (RUTH starts to scramble eggs) ‘ shows how Ruth is not keen on making the husband here, she is not in the mood

Question 3

The problem of money being the huge thing in this family

Answer 3

Travis: ‘…. Cheque coming….’ shows how much money plays a vital role in the family, even a kid is mentioning about money

Question 4

The relationship between Ruth and Travis

Answer 4

‘If you don’t take this comb and fix this here head, you better!’ Although Ruth was irritated by Travis for constantly asking money from her, but she still loves him very much. From the way she cared if he look good before exiting the house shows her love for Travis

Question 5

Walter’s stupid pride problem

Answer 5

‘What you tell this boy things like that for?’ Shows that Walter values the ability to be the one who provides for the family a lot. He doesn’t want his son to know that he is a useless father or man who can’t provide for the family.

Question 6

Ruth being sick and tired of Walter’s bs

Answer 6

‘Oh, Walter Lee…’ shows the audience her feeling for her husband’s nonsense talks again, she gives out the tone where she is had enough of him already.

Question 7

Walter being stupid and mean by adding on to her problems

Answer 7

’ You tired, ain’t you? Tired of everything. Me, the boy, the way we live….’ Although Walter sees it that Ruth is tired of living and wants to quit but he still adds on by bring this truth up. He adds on to her tiredness by raising his voice in the early morning, ruining her mood for the day

Question 8

Walter being a stupid man

Answer 8

’ A man needs for a woman to back him up’ . Here he is trying to blame Ruth for not supporting him in the things he wants to do, he thinks that his life is this terrible is because of Ruth

Question 9

Th dramatic part in this scene

Answer 9

1. stage directions like :
   - ‘ (sadly, but gaining in power)’
   - ‘ (passionately now)’
   - ‘ (in utter anguish as he brings his fits down on his thighs) ‘
2. The constant repetition of ‘eat your eggs’ which is also his trigger point in this scene

Question 10

Walter blaming Benetha

Answer 10

’ Now ain’t that fine! You just got your mother’s interest at heart, ain’t you girl? You such a nice girl - but if MaMa got that money she can always take a few thousand and help you through school too….’
-The constant repetition of ‘you’ is a form of accusatory and verb assault Walter is doing to Benetha
- the mention of the gender ‘girl’ is to infantilize Benetha and to imply that Benetha lack mutuality to support herself through school; Sort of belittling Benetha

Question 11

The dramatic yet comedic part

Answer 11

Walter says: ‘It ain’t that nobody expects you to get on your knees’
While Benetha just ‘(dropping to her knees)’ Waler constantly blame people of his life now, this time round he blames Benetha for doing this to everyone else, however Benetha being Benetha she plays along with him as a way to use his tactic against him

Question 12

The idea of Benetha learning new things

Answer 12

’ Your what kind of lessons?’
‘Guitar’
From here we can sense the selfishness and will to explore from the character Benetha, in spite of the family being not financially capable she still uses the money to explore new hobbies as what she calls being ambitious and trying new things.