George Murchinson and Walter have just had a discussion
about Walter's dream. Walter makes snide remarks to George about his white shoes and
college prep style. Walter is a bitter black man who feels he has never had a break in
life. Of course, Walter has just come home drinking and George is sitting on the couch
waiting for his date with Beneatha.
Walter begins taking
out his frustrations on George. George maintains a calm and collected attitude. After
Walter has fussed and cussed and said what he wanted to say to George, he retires for
the evening. After Walter is out of earshot, George says "Good night, Prometheus."
Prometheus is a character who suffered much but was being punished for foing
wrong:
Prometheus, the god who was punished for having
brought fire to mortals, was chained to Mt. Caucasus, where his liver was torn out every
day by an eagle but grew back each night. Prometheus' suffering lasted for thousands of
years — until Hercules killed the eagle and freed
Prometheus.
George is more or
less being sarcastic and showing off his knowledge. However, Walter's character of
having a fiery personality, wrong behavior and much suffering in his life is parallel
the character of Prometheus.
George is pedantic, showing off his knowledge,
when he says to Walter (after he is safely half-out the door), "Good night,
Prometheus."
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