Act 1, Scene 1

Ruth is responsible for getting her son and husband up before cooking breakfast for the family.

RUTH enters from that room and closes the door behind her. She crosses sleepily toward the window. As she passes her sleeping son she reaches down and shakes him a little. At the window she raises the shade and a dusky Southside morning light comes in feebly. She fills a pot with water and puts it on to boil.

Mama cares for her plant, folds up Travis' bedding, and offers to help with the ironing.