Journal 4/20

In Act II, Scene 2, Mama puts Walter in charge of all of the money. Why do you think that she does that? 

At that point, Walter had given up on a lot of things. His family wasn’t supporting his grand ideas of liquor stores and money, as there were more pressing matters to deal with and an investment like that just wouldn’t be worth the risk to them. Walter didn’t share that view, and without their support stopped going to work. He went and did a lot of nothing- driving around, watching people work for hours at a time, and listening to music at a bar. After hearing about all of that, Mama blames herself for his sadness, and entrusts him with the money. She hopes that he can rise to the occasion and be the head of the family, saying, “…and I’m putting it in your hands. I’m telling you to to be the head of the family from now on like you supposed to be,” (page 107). She says that $3000 of the $6500 will be for his own use, and that he can do with it whatever he pleases. She wants to reinvigorate him and give him a sense of purpose or responsibility through this, but most of all she cares about his well-being and wants to create a positive model for the younger members of the Younger family.