As we read the story, we can feel that Ruth was not in the good mood that morning. She was not happy about Walter’s friend staying late sitting on the couch where her son Travis supposed to sleep. Then, Walter feels that Ruth is mad, so to ease her temper he tells her on his way out to work that she looks young and call her baby to have her attention and make her feel good before he lives. They are both need attentions in other to subsist and that will never be enough. The plant symbolizes to Mama her wish for the family to live together.