Character #1- Mama
Mama is the head of the family and has the decision to decide to what she wants to do with the insurance money they received from her husband's death. She is the mediator of the family and has so much love for them and wants the best for them. Since she comes from a period of poverty, slavery, war, and racism, she views life differently from the rest. Towards the end of the play, she decides to give the insurance money to her family so that they can pursue their own dreams. She also buys a new house so that the family can have a new life and beginning.
Because of the huge generation gap between Mama and the rest of the family, there are many conflicts and miscommunication between them.
Mama values her family so much because she lived during a time where freedom was the most important thing in life, not money, therefore she doesn't understand her family's obsession with money.
"Mama: Son--how come you talk so much 'bout money?
Walter: Because it is life, Mama!
Mama: Oh-- So now it's life. I guess the world reall upon a time freedom used to be life-- now it's money. I guess the world really do change."
She also comes from a period where religion and God is priority, so she gets into many conflicts with Beneatha because she's not religious.
"'Course you going to be a doctor, honey, God willing." -Mama
"God hasn't got a thing to do with it." -Beneatha
"Beneatha--that just wasn't necessary."
"Well--neither is God. I get sick of hearing about God."
"Beneatha!"
"I mean it! I'm just tired of hearing about God all the time. What has He got to do with anything? Does he pay tuition?"
"Mama: No... something has changed. 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 heardly, me and your daddy..."
This was a very powerful statement by Mama because it demonstrates how she had an epiphany because from the beginning of the play she always questioned the difference of opinion from her and the rest of the family.
Walter replied with, "You just don't understand," which also represents how they have two different viewpoints on life.
Symbolism:
"Mama: Lord, if this little old plant don't get more sun than it's been getting it ain't never going to see spring again."
"Well, I always wanted me a garden like I used to see sometimes at the back of the houses down home. This plant is close as I ever got to having one."
"...The door opens and she comes back in, grabs her plant,and goes out for the last time."
The plant symbolizes Mama and her love for her family because even though the plant is old and isn't getting enough sun, she still loves and cares for it.
The plant also symbolizes her dreams because she states how the plant was close enough to the garden she dreamed of. That's why the plant is so important and she cares for it so much.
In the end, she takes the plant with her because the plant represents how her dream continues to grow. She finally get's a new house and receives gifts, such as gardening tools and a sunhat, where she can create her "dream" or her garden there.
Because of the huge generation gap between Mama and the rest of the family, there are many conflicts and miscommunication between them.
Mama values her family so much because she lived during a time where freedom was the most important thing in life, not money, therefore she doesn't understand her family's obsession with money.
"Mama: Son--how come you talk so much 'bout money?
Walter: Because it is life, Mama!
Mama: Oh-- So now it's life. I guess the world reall upon a time freedom used to be life-- now it's money. I guess the world really do change."
She also comes from a period where religion and God is priority, so she gets into many conflicts with Beneatha because she's not religious.
"'Course you going to be a doctor, honey, God willing." -Mama
"God hasn't got a thing to do with it." -Beneatha
"Beneatha--that just wasn't necessary."
"Well--neither is God. I get sick of hearing about God."
"Beneatha!"
"I mean it! I'm just tired of hearing about God all the time. What has He got to do with anything? Does he pay tuition?"
"Mama: No... something has changed. 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 heardly, me and your daddy..."
This was a very powerful statement by Mama because it demonstrates how she had an epiphany because from the beginning of the play she always questioned the difference of opinion from her and the rest of the family.
Walter replied with, "You just don't understand," which also represents how they have two different viewpoints on life.
Symbolism:
"Mama: Lord, if this little old plant don't get more sun than it's been getting it ain't never going to see spring again."
"Well, I always wanted me a garden like I used to see sometimes at the back of the houses down home. This plant is close as I ever got to having one."
"...The door opens and she comes back in, grabs her plant,and goes out for the last time."
The plant symbolizes Mama and her love for her family because even though the plant is old and isn't getting enough sun, she still loves and cares for it.
The plant also symbolizes her dreams because she states how the plant was close enough to the garden she dreamed of. That's why the plant is so important and she cares for it so much.
In the end, she takes the plant with her because the plant represents how her dream continues to grow. She finally get's a new house and receives gifts, such as gardening tools and a sunhat, where she can create her "dream" or her garden there.
Character #2- Mr. Lindner
Mr. Linder is a white character who represents most of the white community who are racist towards blacks.
They don't want the family to move into their community, Clybourne Park, because they want to raise their children in a "white" community. They want to keep their community separate from blacks.
"Mr. Linder: ...Now , I don't say we are perfect and there is a lot wrong in some of the things they want. But you've got to admit that a man, right or wrong, has the right to want to have the neighborhood he lives in a certain kind of way."
"... And that at the overwhelming majority of our people out there feel that people get along better, take more of a common background. I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesn't enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities."
From Mr. Linder's perspective, he believes he's being very respectful and kind towards the family because he breaks down the truth in a very respectful matter. He also offers the family money, which he feels is a kind and fair gesture. Yet to the Youngers take his words as a slap in the face. This is demonstrated in the following example:
Walter: "Never mind how I feel-- you got any more to say 'bout how people ought to sit down and talk to each other?... Get out of my house, man."
"Lindner: Well-- I don't understand why you people are reacting this way. What do you think you are going to gain by moving into a neighborhood where you just aren't wanted and where some elements--well--people can get awful worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everything they've ever worked for is threatened."
They don't want the family to move into their community, Clybourne Park, because they want to raise their children in a "white" community. They want to keep their community separate from blacks.
"Mr. Linder: ...Now , I don't say we are perfect and there is a lot wrong in some of the things they want. But you've got to admit that a man, right or wrong, has the right to want to have the neighborhood he lives in a certain kind of way."
"... And that at the overwhelming majority of our people out there feel that people get along better, take more of a common background. I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesn't enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities."
From Mr. Linder's perspective, he believes he's being very respectful and kind towards the family because he breaks down the truth in a very respectful matter. He also offers the family money, which he feels is a kind and fair gesture. Yet to the Youngers take his words as a slap in the face. This is demonstrated in the following example:
Walter: "Never mind how I feel-- you got any more to say 'bout how people ought to sit down and talk to each other?... Get out of my house, man."
"Lindner: Well-- I don't understand why you people are reacting this way. What do you think you are going to gain by moving into a neighborhood where you just aren't wanted and where some elements--well--people can get awful worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everything they've ever worked for is threatened."
Character #3- Mrs. Johnson
Mrs. Johnson is that one neighbor who knows what's going around everywhere because she is incredibly nosy. She is described as "A woman who decided long ago to be enthusiastic about EVERYTHING in life."
Her eyes "dart around looking" showing how she's very observant and takes everything in. She comments about Ruth's pregnancy "Ain't you starting to poke out none yet!"
She also comments about the moving, and even though she acts very cheerful about it ("Lookathere! I'm telling you the Youngers is really getting ready to move up a little higher! -Bless God!") However remarks about the bombing of colored people out of their homes.
She also tries to act strong.
"Course I think it's wonderful how our folks keep pushing out." Referring to how they still move, and "You hear some of these Negroes round here talking bout how they don't go where they ain't wanted and all that--but not me, honey!"
She also thinks that the Youngers are going to get bombed if they moved to Clybourne Park but seems insincere when she says, "Oh, honey, you know I'm praying to god everyday that don't nothing like that happen!"
She's very critical about "high minded" people and dislike how youngsters are getting an education and thinks nothing of working under people. She even says that Booker T. Washington said, "education has spoiled many a good plow hand."
Her eyes "dart around looking" showing how she's very observant and takes everything in. She comments about Ruth's pregnancy "Ain't you starting to poke out none yet!"
She also comments about the moving, and even though she acts very cheerful about it ("Lookathere! I'm telling you the Youngers is really getting ready to move up a little higher! -Bless God!") However remarks about the bombing of colored people out of their homes.
She also tries to act strong.
"Course I think it's wonderful how our folks keep pushing out." Referring to how they still move, and "You hear some of these Negroes round here talking bout how they don't go where they ain't wanted and all that--but not me, honey!"
She also thinks that the Youngers are going to get bombed if they moved to Clybourne Park but seems insincere when she says, "Oh, honey, you know I'm praying to god everyday that don't nothing like that happen!"
She's very critical about "high minded" people and dislike how youngsters are getting an education and thinks nothing of working under people. She even says that Booker T. Washington said, "education has spoiled many a good plow hand."