Strange being that a man is typically supposed to be the one in charge. In the Younger family with the passing of their father, Mama, instead of Walter, took the reins. Mama is a strong woman, who demonstrates plenty of leadership in the family. In the 1950’s a woman at the head of the family meant one of two things. They were a widow or divorced. Even though Mama did not choose to be the head of the family the role was passed on to her with the passing away of her husband. Beneatha says “That money belongs to Mama, Walter, and its for her to decide how to use it. I don’t care if she wants to buy a house or a rocket ship or just nail it up somewhere to look at it. Its’s hers, not ours—hers” (497). In this quote it demonstrates that Beneatha along with the family respects Mama and accepts her as the leader of the pack. They trust that she will lead the family in the right direction. Later on, on the same page Ruth says “Please stop it! Your mama’ll hear you” (497). This further more proves how much the family respects Mama, that they do not want to upset her or put her in a tough situation. Mama has guided the Younger family through hard times, despite the fact that a woman isn’t supposed to be at the head of a family. Mama has ignored gender role barriers brought her family closer …show more content…
Her husband Walter has goals for himself that are way over his head. He is getting off track. Ruth attempts to realign her husband and shape him into a more proper man, because as of right now, she 's kinda on her own. Ruth says “Oh, let him go on out and drink himself to death! He makes me sick to my stomach!” (521). Despite all of Ruth’s efforts, Walter won’t listen to her advice. He won’t even sit down and talk with his wife about whats going on in their relationship and more importantly his life. Ruth is just trying to lend him a hand and be there for him but Walter won’t accept her offering. This displays the fact the most likely since she 's a woman he will not listen to her. If it was his father, Walter would have most certainly sat down and listened to his advice on how to help this