Why does Lorraine kill Ben in the Women of Brewster Place?

Lorraine does not kill Ben in the novel "The Women of Brewster Place" by Gloria Naylor. In fact, Ben is alive and well at the end of the novel.

The source of your confusion might be that:

* The book was adapted into a miniseries in 1989: The miniseries took significant liberties with the source material and changed many plot points, including potentially the fate of Ben.

* Lorraine and Ben have a tumultuous relationship: They are a volatile couple, and the reader witnesses many instances of their mutual frustration and anger.

However, it's important to distinguish between the fictional world of the novel and its adaptations. In the book itself, Lorraine and Ben are very much alive at the end, albeit with their relationship in a state of uncertain flux.