Waiting for Lefty Lesson Plan

How do the “big money men” prevent Florence and Sid from fulfilling their expected roles as man and woman?

Begin this discussion by having students list off some of the expected qualities of a husband and wife, especially in the 1930s: the husband was expected to make money and provide for his family, while the wife is expected to have children and make a home.

Oppression from the ruling class has made it impossible for this to happen. Florence is stuck in permanent daughter-hood, living with and taking care of her sick mother; Sid doesn’t make enough money to be able to take Florence away from her life, and so his chance at “real” manhood is shot.

According to...