Jenna Holland
In the novel A Raisin in the Sun by author Lorraine Hansberry and the play from 1963 by David Susskind, the story centers around the Younger family, a working class group of five who struggles in the tasks of their everyday lives. One person in particular that struggles greatly throughout the story is Ruth, the wife of Walter and the mother of their son Travis. In the progress of the story, Ruth is belittled by Walter, his mother Mama, and Beneatha constantly question Ruth for trivial reasons in the book, while in the movie Ruth is treated in an almost identical manner with more visual proof.
Looking first into the book perspective of Ruth, she consistently throughout the play is downtrodden by Walter, Mama, and a bit by Beneatha. Starting off towards the beginning of the story, in the first morning of the play, Walter looks at his wife and mentions how, “Just for a second it was- you looked real young again. It’s gone now- you look like yourself again” (Hansberry 27). Walter in comparing Ruth to how she looked in the past, he is insinuating that she does not look as attractive as when they first got together. This insulting comment concerning beauty happens coincidentally when the two start arguing about things that are affected by their circumstances like having to share a bathroom and Travis not having his own room. Later in the same conversation as things begin to heat up, Walter continues to discount Ruth by stating that, “That is just what is wrong with the colored women in this world… Don’t understand about building their men up and making ‘em feel like they somebody” (Hansberry 34). Walter talks about all African American women in a generalized negative way while referring to Ruth subtly. Walter saying that all wives are wrong since they don’t support their husbands dreams, gives the impression that Walter believes Ruth is not a good wife. Following the leaving of Walter and Travis on the first day, Mama mentions to Ruth how, “I just noticed all last week he had cold cereal, and when it starts getting this chilly in the fall a child ought to have some hot grits or something when he goes out in the cold” (Hansberry 40). Mama inquires about what Ruth is feeding Travis for breakfast due to the weather changing towards winter. In Mama questioning how well she is feeding Travis, this implies that Mama thinks Ruth is lacking as his mother by not supplying him with what she considers a proper diet. Right after the money arrives at the house, Mama talks about Ruth’s doctor appointment stating, “Now, Ruth… you know better than that. Old Doctor Jones is strange enough in his way but there ain’t nothing ‘bout him make somebody slip and call him “she”- like you done this morning” (Hansberry 70). Mama knows that Ruth’s primary doctor is a male, so she is suspicious as to who Ruth went to see instead. Mama concluding that Ruth had gone to see a female abortion doctor, is attempting to chastise Ruth for believing it is right to abort her fetus. After Ruth finds out she is pregnant for a second time, Beneatha asks about whether, “Did you plan it Ruth?.. It is my business- where is he going to live, on the roof” (Hansberry 58). Beneatha questions about if Ruth’s pregnancy was an accident and because of their current small home, where the new child would even sleep there. As Beneatha asks Ruth these questions, it casts Ruth into an inconsiderate light as an inconvenience to the family. Overall, Ruth is subjected to harsh judgement by her family.
In comparison to the book of A Raisin in the Sun, the movie version directed by Susskind presents Ruth in a very similar rendition of the book. The lines in the play almost match word for word with the movie lines besides a few topics changed. Another part different was that there were small speaking scenes put in involving Walter that help tell more of the story background. A portion that was altered was the part where Ruth and Mama had originally been about Ruth feeding Travis, the movie instead has Mama question Ruth over Travis doing his homework (Susskind). With Mama stating that fact, she thinks that Ruth is too hard on Travis rather than her being incompetent with feeding him as said in the book. One part where Ruth and Walter interact where I found his actions interesting was that during the egg scene, Walter continually started to move towards Ruth as they had their dialogue about Walter’s dreams (Susskind). The action of Walter moving in an assertive manner towards Ruth put extra emphasis on his words about Ruth not supporting him. Walter’s movements only further confirm the point that Walter projects his hostility at his wife along with the rest of their family in both versions of A Raisin in the Sun.
2 Discussion Questions-
How would you feel if you were put in the same situation as Ruth?
Do you think how Ruth is treated is warranted?
Work Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage, 1994. Print.
Susskind, David, et al. A Raisin in the Sun . Columbia Tristar Home Video, 1999.
Hi Jenna, I really liked how you included a lot of quotes to prove that Ruth is being degraded. Also I liked how you included the character of Ruth in the movie too. I feel that if I was put in the same situation as Ruth, I would feel underappreciated and feel walked all over by the family. Someone who has really stood out to me as being the meanest to Ruth is Walter. I think that since Walter and Ruth are married, I have expectations for how they should treat each other which is why the fact he is mean to her at all makes it seem even worse. One part in which I feel terrible for Ruth is when Mama tells Walter that Ruth tried to get an abortion and all he can do is try to deny it. The last words that Mama says to Walter before the scene ends is, “If you a son of mine, tell her! (Walter picks up his keys and his coat and walks out. She continues, bitterly)” (Hansberry, 75). In this part Walter’s action speak louder than words to me especially since Ruth is going through a really emotionally traumatic moment in her life. The fact that he gets up and leaves the house when Ruth needs him there the most proves how mean he can be towards Ruth. I feel that if I was in Ruth’s shoes during that moment, I would feel so lonely and hurt that I don’t know if I would ever forgive him for it.
Hi Jenna! I enjoyed reading your blog post and thought you gave great examples as to how Ruth is degraded throughout both the novel and movie versions of the play. I too agree that throughout the play we see different characters critique and comment on the way Ruth does things. I found Ruth to be an especially interesting character because she’s the first character to be introduced in the play and sets the scene for the troubles this family faces. Right from the beginning, Hansberry introduces Ruth as a “settled woman” whose “life has been little that she expected, and disappointment has already begun to hang in her face.” (Hansberry, 24). By Hansberry stating this, we can already tell that the Youngers don’t have the life they had always hoped and dreamed about. Later on in the play, when it is unclear whether or not the Youngers would be moving to their new house, we can see the desperation of Ruth as Hansberry writes, “I’ll work… I’ll work twenty hours a day in all of the kitchens in Chicago…-but we got to MOVE! We got to GET OUT OF HERE!!” (Hansberry, 140). I interpreted Ruth being so desperate to move into the new house because she didn’t want to have another dream slip away or being disappointed again.
Hi Jenna, I enjoyed reading your blog post and thought you touched on some good points about how Ruth is degraded throughout the play in many ways. I feel like Ruth is one of the characters who struggles the most throughout the play. Ruth struggles with her image and how she is constantly belittled by the members of the Younger family. It seems like when they degrade her, they do not realize how much it might be affecting her. Ruth works long hours and is desperate to get out of their apartment and live in a nice house and does the most she can for the family. One scene that stood out to me where Ruth is degraded is when Walter is looking for support from her about his business’ states that there are colored men who do things and Walter responds” No thanks to colored women” Ruth continues and says “Well, being a colored woman, I guess I can’t help myself”. (Hansberry 34). I think that deep down Ruth is hurt from his words by saying she cannot help herself. I noticed she is also physically degraded in one scene. “You a horrible looking chick at this hour.” (Hansberry 35) Ruth faces many struggles herself and does not see herself as a good woman or wife and feel as though this affects her throughout the play. The Youngers do not seem to realize how hard Ruth works and how she does everything she can to be a supporting member of the family. If I was put in Ruths position I would feel inferior to the others because of their constant belittling of her.
Hi Jenna! I liked how you pointed out all the times where Ruth was basically being belittled. It’s not fair the fact that Ruth doesn’t seem to get credit for all the work she does around the house. Ruth is a very hard-working woman and I feel as though she deserves to be treated better. Walter constantly is talking to her in an aggressive way, and I don’t think it is fair to her because she has to deal with other family members as well. In Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun”, Walter states “DAMN MY EGGS-DAMN ALL THE EGGS THAT EVER WAS.” (Hansberry 34). In both the movie and the book, you can sense the aggression Walter has when talking to Ruth. I feel like a man shouldn’t talk to his wife the way Walter did to Ruth because it’s just unnecessary. If I was put in the same situation as Ruth I would be frustrated and angry because as a wife, you can only do so much to make someone happy. I wouldn’t want to be looked down on by my husband and his family just like Ruth was. How Ruth is treated is not warranted because she’s trying her best to maintain herself and her family and no one recognizes that. It sucks how she is going to have a baby and all they could think about is the negative effects of bringing another child to the house. Ruth only wants the best for her, and her family. Ruth deserves better treatment.
Hi Jenna, I loved your blog post. I think you brought up great points about Ruth being belittled by her family members. It was interesting to see how Ruth was portrayed the same in both the movie and the book, they kept her Ruth pretty true to character. I personally feel terrible for Ruth, I would feel so underappreciated if I was in her position. It was so interesting to see in the movie the situation that Ruth is put in with this insurance money, while watching the movie I felt so horrible for Ruth. I think Ruth was put in a bad situation because it wasn’t really her place to step in with her husband’s mom with this money but also, it’s important to support her husband. Walter wants Ruth on his side but it’s also not really Ruth’s place to say anything. Walter criticizes Ruth by stating “That is just what is wrong with the colored woman in this world… don’t understand about building their men up and making me feel like they somebody. Like they can do something” (Hansberry 34). In this Walter is insinuating that Ruth doesn’t support him and by doing so he is criticizing her. if I were in Ruth shoes I would feel horrible because she is doing the best she can and gets no credit.
Hi Jenna! I really liked your blog because this is a topic I have not really thought of however it is very clear that Ruth is not appreciated as she should be. She acts not only as a mother to Travis, but to Walter as well as we see both in the book and the film when she is waking Walter up, making breakfast for him, etc. The quote, “Walter Lee–it’s time for you to GET UP!” (Hansberry 25) shows how Ruth is treating Walter like a child, making it her responsibility to wake her husband up. Ruth looks out for her family and it is clearly shown in the book and the film however if I was put in the same situation as Ruth I would feel very unappreciated and lonely as my husband does not think I support him and I get criticized for the way I raise my son. From 18:08-18:55 in the film, Mama is seen criticizing Ruth because she is having Travis do his homework on a Friday. It just seems that Ruth is not fully respected not only as a family member or a wife, but a mother as well. I do not think the way she is treated is warranted and I feel badly for her character. Ruth is very strong for what she goes through as she is settled down and cares for her family without the respect she deserves. It was very disheartening to see in the book, but especially in the film.
Work Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York:Vintage, 1994. Print
Susskind, David, et al. A Raisin in the Sun. Columbia Tristar Home Video, 1999.
Hi Jenna, I enjoyed reading your blog post about how Ruth consistently gets degraded in this play. I feel that Ruth faces many struggles in her role as a woman, mother, and wife. Ruth and Walters’s relationship is increasingly strained throughout the play due to Walter’s frustration towards Ruth not meeting his expectations of what a wife should be. Walter lashes out at Ruth when he feels unheard after talking to her about his business idea. Walter states in the play, “ That is just what is wrong with the colored women in this world… Don’t understand about building their men up and making em feel like they somebody”(Hansberry 34). This quote by Walter shows how he blames Ruth for his self-esteem issues and insecurities as a man. According to Walter women should be building their men up and making them feel powerful. This view Walter has of a women’s responsibility adds to the pressure of being a wife. It feels unfair that she is expected to build Walter up while she continuously gets torn down. When Ruth states “ I listen to you every day, every night and every morning, and you say nothing new” ( Hansberry 34). I feel that after years of listening to Walter’s dreams for a better life and not achieving anything has exhausted Ruth making her resent hearing about unrealistic goals. Ruth is tired of hearing about her husband’s desires while she keeps her dreams to herself. If I were put in Ruth’s position I would be frustrated and hurt as well.
Hi Jenna! I really enjoyed your post, you gave very thorough examples and quotes of Ruth being degraded and underappreciated in her home. I also liked how you compared the film to the book version in your post as well! I feel as if I was in Ruth’s position at home, I too would feel the way that she did: Underappreciated and degraded. In this play, Ruth is looked at as a caring and supportive woman and wife to Walter, even though their relationship seems strained at times. A perfect example of this is in the beginning of the play when Ruth and Walter are eating eggs. Earlier, Walter had complimented Ruth, saying she looked like the younger version of herself and then took that compliment back. Walter then starts talking about his dream of the liquor store and Walter starts getting impatient with Ruth. Ruth then says, “Walter, leave me alone! (She raises her head and stares at him vigorously – then says, more quietly) Eat your eggs, they gonna be cold” (Hansberry 33). I took this as Ruth being more reserved after realizing she had raised her voice. I definitely feel like if I was in Ruth’s position, I would have felt underappreciated in my own home and degraded when I was complimented by my partner and it was taken back.
Hey Jenna!! I really enjoyed reading your blog post. I felt that Ruth’s character was constantly judged and degraded as well. It was fascinating to see how Ruth’s character was treated exactly the same way throughout the film and movie. One section of the play that stood out to me was towards the end, Mama Ruth seemed in a hurry to move when she finally received the insurance money Hansberry writes”..but we got to MOVE! We gotta GET OUT OF HERE!!” (Hansberry, 140). I felt this statement was very powerful as it resembles Ruth being extremely ready to move into a new place in order for her to start over. I personally feel terrible for Ruth, as she is ready to move on from her past. Ruth is a hardworking individual who is greatly under appreciated. I also felt bad for Ruth because it isn’t just her close family members that show no respect towards her; it is also the outside world like Karl Linder on the Clybourne welcoming committee. Ruth seems to never be accepted as an individual no matter how much hard work she does. Whether people are making assumptions off of Ruth’s appearance, hard work, or race she never is able to receive the recognition she deserves. Therefore, Ruth deserves a break and should be finally able to follow her dreams.
Hi Jenna! I really liked your blog post. and I liked how you talked about the struggles that Ruth has with Walter, Mama, and Beneatha. If I was treated like Ruth, I do not know how I would react. I do not know if I would even react at all or if I speak up about the way they were treating me. Ruth is trying her best to provide for the family and she isn’t treated with the same respect as everyone else is in the family. One conversation that sticks out to me with Walter and Ruth is at the beginning of the play when Walter continuously talks about his dreams and what he wants. Walter says, ” That’s it. There you are. Man say to his woman: I got a dream. His woman say: Eat your eggs” (Hansberry 33). I think Ruth keeps telling Walter to eat his eggs every morning not only because she is tired of hearing him say the same things every morning and every night but also because she isn’t interested in his dreams because of the way she is treated. I feel like if Ruth was treated better in the house, she would have a different attitude to Walter and his dreams. In the film version of A Raisin in the Sun, Ruth’s character is really brought to life and we see her emotions as Walter talks about his dreams. She seems tired and bored about hearing the same things over and over again and she seems disinterested in what he has to say. Overall, I think the character of Ruth would be different if she was treated differently and if she wasn’t belittled.
Work Cited:
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York:Vintage, 1994. Print
Susskind, David, et al. A Raisin in the Sun. Columbia Tristar Home Video, 1999.
Hey Jenna! I really enjoyed reading your post. I also so believe that Ruth is one person who struggles throughout the story. She is always questioned about her ideas and values. Like when Ruth says “Ain’t nothing the matter with me, and don’t keep asking me that this morning” (Hansberry, 26). Walter was consistently asking jer questions and bothering her that morning. Also when Ruth announced her pregnancy she had to tell Benetha and Mama to “mind there own business” (Hansberry, 56). They wouldn’t stop questioning her about the choices she made instead of being happy for her.
I do not think the way Ruth is treated is warranted, it’s unfair to her. She has ambitions and dreams and she should be suppurted a lot more.