Mama Ben:
* Strong and resilient: Mama Ben is the backbone of the family, a woman who has endured hardship and poverty. She is fiercely protective of her children and deeply rooted in her traditions and values.
* Traditional and conservative: She clings to the old ways and is deeply suspicious of change. She is skeptical of the modern world and the ideas of her children.
* Authoritarian and controlling: Mama Ben rules the household with an iron fist and expects obedience from her children. She is often critical of her children's choices and desires.
* Pragmatic and resourceful: She is a practical woman who knows how to make do with little and prioritize the needs of her family.
Pa Ben:
* Passive and accommodating: Pa Ben is a more passive figure who often defers to his wife's authority. He is gentle and loving but lacks the assertiveness of Mama Ben.
* Open to change: Pa Ben is more willing to embrace new ideas and adapt to the changing world. He is less resistant to his children's desires and more accepting of their choices.
* Less emotionally expressive: He is generally more reserved than Mama Ben and expresses his feelings less openly.
* More concerned with peace: Pa Ben desires harmony and avoids confrontation. He is often a mediator between Mama Ben and the children.
Key Differences:
* Power and Control: Mama Ben is the dominant figure in the household, while Pa Ben is more submissive.
* Attitude towards Change: Mama Ben is resistant to change, while Pa Ben is more open to it.
* Emotional Expression: Mama Ben is more expressive and outspoken, while Pa Ben is more reserved and introspective.
The Impact of their Differences:
The contrasting personalities of Mama and Pa Ben create tension within the family. Mama Ben's strictness and control clash with the children's desire for independence and freedom. Pa Ben's more accommodating nature allows him to act as a buffer between his wife and children, but he often finds himself caught in the middle. The play explores the generational gap and the struggle between tradition and modernity through the relationship between Mama and Pa Ben and their children.