Why does George say “Good night Prometheus?
hapeemomma Teacher High School – 9th Grade from Cliff Notes: When George says, “Good night Prometheus,” Walter not only does not know what “Prometheus” refers to, but he actually thinks that George, just that moment, made up the word. The word “Prometheus” fits Walter’s fiery personality. Prometheus, the god who was punished for bringing fire to mortals, was chained to Mt. Caucasus, where every day an eagle tore out his liver, which grew back each night. Prometheus’ suffering lasted for thousands of years–until Hercules killed the eagle and freed Prometheus. As a parallel, Walter, too, is chained, and likewise, his obsessive dream restores what his frustrations devour. Sadly, Walter never sees any way out of his economic distress other than the liquor store, which his mother opposes solely on moral grounds. Nowhere in the play does Mama indicate that she would not give Walter the money for some other business idea; it’s just that she resists the idea of his selling liquor. Walter’s si
