Category: A Raisin In The Sun

Essay on Figurative Language in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’

Lorraine Hansberry is a writer and activist born in May 1930, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Hansberry is an African American woman, born in the Depression era although, because of her father’s relative wealth they were considered middle class. Though their position on the economic ladder they still experienced extreme racism and segregation. She attended an overcrowded public school for African American students located in the ghettos. As she grew up she read books in her father’s library, she developed a strong mindset about the greatness of Africa and its ancient civilizations. She also learned about colonialism in Africa and its impact on the people. She soon drew a parallel between the exploited Africans and the subjugated African Americans. These early influences foreshadow the inspiring work she created in her later age. “Without a doubt, the play A Raisin in the Sun was a historically and culturally significant rhetorical production.” (Lipari 81). Hansberry shows her personal views and experiences of inequality and injustice of African Americans throughout her play, A Raisin in the Sun.

There were specific examples showing racism and oppression that happened in both Hansberry’s life and in her play A Raisin in the Sun that support the above research question. For example, as a young girl, Hansberry and her family moved into a white neighborhood which came with challenges due to segregation. The white community of the neighborhood was so angry they moved in, and the community threw bricks through the Hansberry family window. This was taken to court and the Hansberry were court-ordered to vacate the home. Her father became so furious, that he brought this case to the U.S. Supreme Court. This became the court case known as Hansberry v. Lee’s decision of 1940. In the play A Raisin in the Sun, The youngsters decide to move into a predominantly all white neighborhood. Before they even move in “Mr. Lindner [a white man] who comes from the ‘welcome committee’ of the new neighborhood to ask the Youngers not to move into it at all [and offers to pay them not to move]: ‘I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesn’t enter into it…As I say, that for all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their communities” (Saber 452). The Youngers refuse this offer and decide to move in any way, despite all of the hate towards them. As does Hansberry’s father, “The Youngers make their decision in the end, the fact of racial oppression, unspoken and alluded to, other than the fact of how they live ” (Saber 453).

As stated above, Hansberry was “born into material comfort on the southside of Chicago and she grew us as a part of the middle class and was therefore given some opportunities denied to others… this background which must be acknowledged” (Wilkerson 450). In the eyes of a young girl, it can be brought to the light, seeing her family getting treated differently because of her race, it could be seen why young Hansberry could have been discouraged; asking herself, why can my friends live in this neighborhood but I cannot? Why can’t we go to this side of town? All of these questions and discouragement that were put upon Hansberry at birth sent many other African-Americans into the shadows, but not Lorine Hansberry. Since Hansberry was taught at a young age to have “pride in the family and never to betray the race” (Wilkerson 450) she chose to use her experiences to fuel her writing career and write about the injustices in American society. In Lorine Hansberry’s play, she was able to show all Americans

Which is one of the themes of her play A Raisin in the Sun. Overcoming this adversity at such a young age turned Hansberry into the strong, activist, and powerful writer that she once was.

The segregation and unrightful treatment she experienced and witnessed are “experiences she would in part recount in her first dramatic work, A Raisin in the sun” (Abell 460). Hansberry holds strong beliefs about the means of African Americans and the civil rights they should attain. “These beliefs surfaced in the situations of the characters in the play” (Abell 461). For example, the character Travis Younger represents the innocence and purity of Hansberry’s younger self. Mama’s strong will to change stereotypes and oppression towards African Americans as does Hansberry’s father does, going to court fighting for their house lastly Beneatha shows open-mindedness and wants to learn about African american culture represents young Lorraine reading her father’s books and wanting to learn more about her African American culture.

“The aim of [Hansberry for this play] is asserting black racial pride. It was an attempt to cross racial lines and not to see everything through sharp black-white dichotomies, but to form a kind of racial settlement and to end racial oppression” (Murray 277). Hansberry does this through her personal experiences and views throughout the characters, themes, and events that relate to both her life and her play. The play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry shows her personal experiences from life in a metaphorical way, while this literary essay explains how she was able to show her experiences.

Essay on Conflict in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’

In dysfunctional families, conflicts between members of the family occur continuously and regularly. Family members in dysfunctional families are often disbarred from being unique and may also endure abuse and neglect. The Youngers in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun undergo both loving and hateful moments throughout the play. The Youngers are a dysfunctional family as they have many beliefs and behaviors which causes repeated conflict within the family. To begin with, the Youngers let money diminish their family relations. Moreover, the Youngers are discouraged and punished from stating their own opinions. Finally, they put their needs and wants before those of their fellow family members.

The large check that Lena Younger (Mama) had received causes the family to fight over it and turn on each other. Walter’s want for money causes it to be his highest priority in life. When Mama declines Walter’s request for the money, he responds by saying, “Because it is life Mama… No ⎼⎼ it was always money, Mama” (Hansberry 74). Here Walter says that money is life, rather than freedom or family. He is putting money as his highest priority in life rather than his own family. Mama barely challenges Walter’s thinking and does not try to set his goals and priorities straight. Ultimately, this leads to Walter continuing to put money first like when he tries to sell their new house to Lindner despite the family’s protests. Walter lets material things get in the way of his family relations, and his decisions throughout the play which are mostly based on money cause continuous conflict within the family. Also, when Walter loses the insurance money, his family turns on him. When Walter is distraught over losing the money, Beneatha says this to Mama, “That is not a man. That is nothing but a toothless rat… I said that individual in that room is no brother of mine” (Hansberry 144-145). Beneatha was angry over Walter losing the money, which included her schooling money. She goes as far as disowning Walter as her brother. If Mama had not consulted Beneatha after this, she probably would have never let it go. She let the money harm her family relationship with her brother and caused conflict over it. Overall, the Youngers let third-party objects like money deteriorate their relations and disputes within the family.

Furthermore, the Youngers have many conflicting ideas on large issues and struggle to be able to express themselves and their ideas, which hurts the functionality of their family. When Beneatha reveals her beliefs about God, it causes tension in the household. When Mama scolds Beneatha for using the Lord’s name in vain, Beneatha replies to her by saying, “Mama you don’t understand. It’s all a matter of ideas, and God is just one idea I don’t accept” (Hansberry 51). Throughout the play, it is shown that the Youngers are a highly Christian family. After Beneatha had said this, Mama and Ruth had a serious argument over it. Religion often plays a substantial part in a family and defecting from your household’s religion could cause tension. Mama slaps Beneatha and forces her to say that in her house there is still God. Mama uses physical harm and silences Beneatha from stating her own opinion. Those are both signs of dysfunctionality which is present within the Younger household. Additionally, Ruth’s decision to abort the baby shows how members of the Younger family are discouraged from voicing their independent opinions. After Walter learns of Ruth’s decision, Mama says, “And I’m waiting to see you stand up and say we are people who give life, not who destroys them” (Hansberry 75). Mama disagreed with Ruth’s decision to abort the upcoming baby. While Walter was stunned, Mama was forcing him to tell Ruth not to do it. Instead of letting Walter voice his own opinion on the matter, he was told to give a certain answer. It shows that the Youngers are dysfunctional as they have no freedom to say what they want. Ultimately, the Youngers have no freedom as they are expected to obey and believe what the head of the household (Mama) believes is right.

At last, the Youngers’s lack of empathy and selflessness causes the family to have continuous conflict. Throughout the play, the Youngers fight selfishly over what the money should be used for. While Beneatha is arguing that the money is Mama’s, Walter says to her, “You such a nice girl ⎼ but if Mama got that money she can always take a few thousand and help you through school” (Hansberry 37). Here, Beneatha wanted Mama to have the money as she would be more likely to help her pay her tuition rather than Walter. Walter wanted the money for his dream and Beneatha wanted it for hers. They did not think of a way of splitting the money between each other, they wanted all or nothing. This led to continued conflict as they neither considered nor thought about how important each person’s dream was to them. In addition, Mama buying the house was another act of selfishness. After Mama had bought the house and was talking to Walter, Walter says, “What you need me to say you did right for? You the head of this family. You run our lives like you want to” (Hansberry 95). Mama bought the house as she thought it was the best for the family. She did so without consulting the family or considering what everyone in the household wanted. This causes conflict as Walter feels that no one thinks of him and that he is not represented in the decision. In a functional household, consulting between family members is usually done before a big decision, like buying a house. In conclusion, the Youngers’s selfishness allows conflict to be persistent within the family.

The Youngers in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun endure many conflicts throughout the play which debilitates the functionality of their family. They let money hurt their ties and allow it to cloud their judgment and decisions. Additionally, the Youngers have many different opinions conflicting with each other. However, they are typically discouraged and punished for stating their opinion. At last, the Youngers are a very selfish family. They only seek to fulfill their desires and do what they think is best, without truly finding out what is the right thing for their family. Ergo, dysfunctional families suffer from many conflicts. If they do not try to support each other no matter their different views, dreams, or beliefs, the overall happiness in the family will dwindle and it may affect the family members’ mentality and beliefs in the future.

The Impact of Racism and Dreams in “A Raisin in the Sun”

Defying Racism: Youngers’ Unyielding Pursuit

Many events affect the Youngers, an African-American family in the play A Raisin in the Sun. The Youngers live in Chicago’s South Side, which contains low incoming housing. The black neighborhood is filled with crime and racial discrimination. The way the Youngers handle racism and refuse to give into the offer that Mr. Linder gives the Youngers to make them change their minds into moving into all white neighborhood shows that they never want to give up on what they want to achieve. Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun demonstrates how racism affects the Youngers’ lives.

Defiance Against Racial Housing Bias

One way racism affects the Youngers is when they try to move to an all white neighborhood. According to Hansberry, “What do you think you are going to gain by moving into a neighborhood where you just aren’t wanted and where some elements-well-people can get awful worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everything they’ve worked for is [being] threatened” (199). Mr. Linder tries to make an excuse for the Youngers to not move into a all white neighborhood by telling them about the incidents of what happens to colored people when they try to move into a all white neighborhood (Tackach par. 7).

Mr. Lindner ruins the fun of the Youngers moving into a new house by just trying to get them to focus on signing the agreement papers, so the Welcoming Committee can buy the house from the Youngers (McGovern par. 10). Hansberry claims, “Our association is prepared, through the collective effort of people, to buy the house from you [to] a financial gain [for] your family” (118). The Youngers are offered a cash payout to not move into the all white neighborhood. The Welcoming Committee wants to keep their community pure and not all allow any colored people into their community (Austin par. 8). Mr. Linder does not want the Youngers to move into all white neighbor by giving them money to keep them from causing a threat in the white communities of Chicago (Brantingham par. 8). The Youngers decided to reject Mr. Lindner offer of money and continued to move into their new house in the all white community.

Job Struggles, Family Dynamics, Personal Growth

Another way the Youngers’ lives are affected is their jobs. Hansberry admits, “Mama, a job? I open and close car doors all day long. I drive a man around in his limousine and [I] say, Yes, sir; no, sir; very good, sir; [where] shall [I Drive you to] sir” (75). Walter does not want to work as a chauffeur for a rich white man anymore (Alder par. 2). Walter is tired of being a chauffeur and he wants to fulfill his dream of opening up a liquor store. (Washington par. 2). Hansberry thinks, “Get on out of here or [your] going to be late” (33). Ruth is a housewife and she is frustrated about Walter’s dream and she keeps on telling Walter to go to work (Austin par. 2). Ruth wants to stop Walter from investing into his liquor store, and she wants him to be their to comfort her (Tackach par. 3). In short, Ruth wants Walter to be there for her, and she gets so frustrated about her being the one who having to tell Walter what to do and she doesn’t want Walter to go into the liquor store business at all.

Furthermore, family issues affects the Youngers by explaining what they are going through. Hansberry notes, “No–he don’t [even] try at all ‘cause he knows [your] going to come along behind him and fix everything” (43). Ruth complains about Travis not trying to make his bed correctly (Washington par. 1). Ruth does not like the way the couch is or how they are living in their apartment (Brantingham par. 1). Hansberry thinks, “No, Mama, something is happening between Walter and me. I don’t [even] know what it is– but he needs something-something I can’t give him anymore” (45). Something is wrong with Walter and Ruth’s relationship as husband and wife, but she cannot figure it out it might be the baby (Alder par. 5). She does not want to have another baby in the family, so she cannot decide what to with it (Tackach par. 2). In brief, Ruth decides to get an abortion with her baby and wants to restore her, and Walter’s relationship as a married couple by telling Mama not to let Walter open up his liquor store.

Moreover, pride affects the Youngers’ lives. Hansberry says, “(Thoughtfully, and [she thought] suddenly very far away) Ten thousand dollars–” (46). The mother of the younger family thinks if she buys a house in a nice all white neighborhood it would uplift her family and make everything better for their lives (Austin par. 1). All Mama wants is to make her family feel good about themselves and help them get over their fear of discrimination and racism and help them to focus on the ideas that are positive (McGovern par. 5). Hansberry agrees “No–it was always [about] money, Mama. We just didn’t know about it” (76). Walter thinks money only makes up life (Washington par. 3). Walter thinks about money too much it gets to the point that he starts becoming boastful about money (Brantingham par. 7). All in all, Walter soon realizes that money is not life, and he decides to fulfill his dream of being a man instead of owning a liquor store.

Dreams Shaping Youngers’ Lives

Finally, dreams affect the Younger daily lives. Hansberry states, “Yeah. You see, this liquor store we got in mind cost seventy-five thousand and we figured the initial investment on the place [will] be [about] thirty thousand, see” (36). Walter really wants to get involved into opening up his own liquor store to fulfill his dream

(Tackach par. 1). Even though Walter is really excited about fulfilling his dream, Mama does not approve of him opening a liquor store (Alder par. 2). Hansberry comments, “ Well I always wanted me a [small] garden like I used to sometimes at the back of the houses down houses” (55). Mama wants a garden and wants to buy a house in a all white neighbor (Tackach par. 5). Mama wants to move out of the apartment and buy and house and ignore the issues in the all white community (McGovern par. 14). Therefore, The Youngers moves into the new house no matter what happens to them in the the all white community.

In simpler terms, housing, family, jobs, discrimination, and dreams affect the Youngers’ lives in A Raisin in the Sun. The Youngers complain about how they live in a run down apartment in Chicago’s Southside. The Youngers struggle with family issues when Walter wants to open a liquor store. The Youngers deals with problems at their jobs because Walter hates being a chauffeur for a rich white man, and he does not want to return to his job. The Youngers embrace with discrimination by rejecting Mr. Lindner’s money offer, and they move into the new house even though the white community thinks that they are a threat. Regardless of race, the Youngers should be welcomed in Clybourne Park and treated equally because they are humans. People’s race should not play a role in fulfilling their dreams.

References:

1. Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin In The Sun. Vintage Books, 1994.
2. Alder, Thomas P. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition, 2006, pp.1-2.
3. Austin, Adell. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Cyclopedia of Literary Characters, Revised Third Edition, 1998, pp.1 -2.
4. Brantingham, Philip. “A Raisin in the Sun.’ Masterplots II, Drama, 1990, pp.1-3.
5. Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin In The Sun. Vintage Books, 1994.
6. Leeson, Richard M. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Identities & Issues in Literature, 1997, p. 1-1.
7. McGovern, Edythe M. “A Raisin in the Sun”. Masterplots II, Women’s Literature Series,1995, pp.1-3.
8. Tackach, James. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Masterplots, Fourth Edition, 2010, pp.1-3.
9. Washington, Gladys J. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Masterplots II, Revised Edition, 2008, pp.1-3.

Themes of Dreams, Racism, and Struggle in A Raisin in the Sun

Themes Shaping Lives: Dreams, Struggles, Ambitions

A Raisin in the Sun revolves around many themes that are displayed throughout the story. Each character contributes to and portrays these themes in significant ways. The themes that are revealed are dreams, racism, poverty, money, and pride, and these themes revolve around the characters. The dream theme shows how each member of the Younger family has dreams they all want to accomplish. Poverty is also present as they live in a poor neighborhood in Chicago and experience racism from the white spokesman who tries to persuade the Younger family not to move to the district. Furthermore, the themes of money and pride create a lot of conflicts within the family as they bring forth hatred because everyone wants Mr. Younger’s insurance money for their own purposes.

Dreams are the main theme in A Raisin in the Sun, and dreams can save or destroy a person. In A Raisin in the Sun, each character is constantly struggling, and conflicts develop as everyone wants insurance money to achieve their dreams. Although their ambition drives them, money is a source of tension. For example, Beneatha and Walter may not achieve their dreams due to the money being scammed by Walter’s friend. As one literary critic notes, “The Younger family is tired from struggling and suffering and hope to grow and inherit something someday” (Ardolino, 181).

In A Raisin in the Sun, the story also shows that Mama is willing to do anything to assist her family in fulfilling their dreams. Dreams give characters in the story something to strive for, such as Beneatha wanting to go to a university to study to become a doctor even though she is an African American woman, and that was unheard of. Lena Younger (Mama) and Ruth wanted to live in a bigger house and not one that they must share with other people. Walter wanted to invest in a liquor store, so he could be his own boss, not have to work as a chauffeur for a white man, and be financially successful. Each of the characters has a distinct dream, and these dreams have been deferred at first because of the family’s financial status. Poverty caused them to struggle and deal with unfair situations, which inhibited them from living a better life and attaining their dreams. Therefore, everyone was frustrated with life.

Hope, Dreams, Racism, Defiance

The death of Mr. Younger resulted in the family receiving an insurance check of $10,000, which made the family’s dreams possible and even generated new opportunities for them. Both Walter and Beneatha’s dreams were in jeopardy when Walter’s friend scammed him of the investment money, but a sense of hope was renewed when the family decided to pursue Lena Younger’s dream of moving out of the apartment into a nice house. Hansberry captures this sense of hope when Ruth shouts, “Good-bye to these goddamned cracking walls! These marching roaches and this cramped little closet. Hallelujah and good-bye misery” (85).

The dream of having a house is a central theme as it unites the family. This demonstrates that the perseverance of a dream leads to a sense of faith despite struggles and continuously deferring dreams. The expectation of escaping poverty is possible after Mr. Younger’s death. The story exemplifies that people can have victory over difficulties. As Ardolino reported, Mama’s plant symbolizes this theme because “the plant is the last thing she takes with her when they move” (181). Lena (Mama) has big dreams and hopes as she nurtures and raises her family, often comparing her life to the plant that she regularly tends for its growth as she dreams of owning a house with a garden.

Another theme explored was racism, as the Mr. Linder character makes bigotry prominent in the story and a reality that the Younger family cannot avoid. Mr. Linder and the other white people in the play only see the color of the Younger family’s skin and bribe them not to move into their neighborhood. However, the Younger family responds to their racist act with defiance and strength. According to Rose, By creating a drama based on a Black domestic sphere that exposes the interior, intimate impact of structural racism via housing segregation, oppression, economic exploitation, and inaccessible educational opportunity, Hansberry is able to reveal the importance of this nexus in a deft and Complex fashion. (30-31)

Race, Discrimination, Unity

A Raisin in the Sun depicts how racism inhibits the Younger family from accomplishing their dreams and can complicate a dream. Also, the play shows how race can influence one’s life. Mr. Linder and the white neighbors discriminate against the Younger family solely based on race, even though they do not know them. When the family is offered a bribe, it threatens to tear apart the family apart, and they must decide about the values that they stand for. The significance of race and racism is captured by Zohdi, who writes that “There is almost no community of intellectual life or point of transference where the thoughts and feelings of one race can come into direct contact and sympathy of the other” (12). The Younger family, in the end, stands up and reaffirms their dignity by deciding to move into the house.

Pride, Money, Poverty

The third theme is pride. Pride is a unifying force and drives many behaviors in the Younger family. Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, it is evident that Mama raised her family with dignity, pride, morals, and a desire to carry these traits out as their ancestors did. A sense of pride is illustrated when Mr. Linder, the white district representative, tries to persuade the Younger family not to move into their neighborhood. Yet, because of their values and dignity, the Youngers didn’t accept the money.

According to critiques of A Raisin in the Sun, “Despite the family’s dreadful economic circumstances, they decisively refuse to lose their pride in the pursuit of financial income” (Rose,10). Pride is also revealed as Walter is a chauffeur for a white man, which he hates, and therefore he is desperate to open a liquor store because he absolutely hates being someone’s servant. Lena Younger conveys and instills pride in her children in respect for their ancestors. Even when they were being criticized, they still considered their ancestral dignity to be great.

Money creates conflicts and hostility in the Younger household. The lack of money initiates struggles for them. For example, Walter feels less of a man as he is unable to provide for his family, and financial strains cause Ruth to consider getting an abortion. In addition, both Mama and Beneatha are also affected by the family’s economic constrain as both of their dreams depend on money to achieve and make it a reality. Mama sees the insurance money to accomplish her dream of owning a house, and Beneatha’s dream of going to medical school depends greatly on the money.

Poverty is another theme identified in the story. The Younger family lives in unpleasant conditions and is dominated by poverty. Correspondingly, how poverty rationalizes and produces inequalities. “blacks and white were still separated; there usually existed no interaction between them apart from work” (Nowrouzi, 5). Living conditions for the Younger family were difficult because they were financially unstable. Poverty was displayed in the story as the houses were in terrible condition, in which the Younger family was forced to tolerate this ailment as they didn’t have a choice.

The story is solely based on the struggle between dreams for each character, Lena’s dream is small but realistic, and Walter’s immense and ego-boosting dream creates resentment. In Addition, blatant prejudice is seen between Walter and Karl Linder, the spokesman for the all-white community where she hopes to reside. His implicit indications of fear are enough for an individual to grasp how viciousness in a race develops.

References:

1. Ardolino, F. (2017). Dreams Deferred but Dreams Nevertheless: A Dream Analysis of A Raisin in the Sun. Journal of American Drama and Theatre, 29(3), 181.
2. Rose, L. J. (2003). The Politics of Race and Reason: A Raisin in the Sun. African American Review, 37(1), 5-12.
3. Zohdi, M. (2013). “I Am Not the Devil”: Racial Anxiety and Reproductive Freedom in A Raisin in the Sun. Theatre Journal, 65(1), 19-34.
4. Nowrouzi, A. (2016). Black Dreams in A White World: Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Open Access Library Journal, 3(9), 1-9.

Travis in “A Raisin in the Sun”: Hope, Ambition & Dreams

Travis: Ambition Amid Struggle

Throughout the 1950s, black life was depicted in Lorraine Hansberry’s play as one of the most genuine portrayals after the publication of the book around half a decade later. Hansberry’s unique critique for making life-like characters in the play as long as a book. Through the depiction of young Travis, the distinct portrayal shows that there can be ambition in the families that may be having a troublesome time and relief through comics that relate to the play and the book.

Travis: Comic Relief and Impact

The son of Walter and Ruth, named Travis, is an immense relief of comic relief at the beginning of the story when times are difficult and upsetting. The life of young Travis can be how, at the beginning when he is depicted sleeping in his bed, while in his case, he is on the couch as his mom tries to wake him up to go to school, which was important during the time period (25). In his gloomy and lonely apartment, many people can relate to the parenting or being a mother aspect that shows the caring aspect in some audiences of races or different classes.

Although the child does not want to leave the couch where he sleeps, it still depicts that he enjoys the comfort and safe aspect of being in his apartment, although it is not the most ideal place to live for his family. When Walter asks Travis why he has to carry the groceries home from school, Travis phrases that it is his responsibility because his mom will not let him borrow two quarters. This depicts that it is more of a wrongdoing on Travis’s part as his dad gives him a whole dollar, although it is not the most ideal and honest decision to disobey his wife’s decision. Travis’s character does not only make the mood of the beginning of the play ambitious, but he also impacts other characters’ decisions later on in the play.

Travis’s Influence on Dreams

When Travis’s mom is having a difficult time spending money on the insurance on the house, Travis decides to lighten up his mom’s mood on what to decide. When Mama chooses to share the troubling news with the family, Travis states back, “I always wanted to live in a house” (91). The audience knows that Travis is just a kid that likes to believe in what he would like in order to help out the family, but he does not know that he is just making his mother feel bad about the situation she is going through.

This will be an immense change in his life because it could change the way he thinks about Young people. Although Ruth could not disguise her happiness during the frustrating news, she still plans on punishing Travis for being out too late past his curfew during the same scene in the play and thinks about not following through. She feels regret by saying to herself that she doesn’t “feel like whipping anyone today!” (94). It can be very easy to get involved in the situation of Walter’s character as he gets frustrated with the decision of Travis’s mom. The immediate concern of all the adults about Travis’s future during this time is what keeps imaginative thinking in a dreaming child during a difficult time. This relates back to the theme of dreams throughout the play.

Travis: Hope Amid Challenges

In the situation of Travis’s life throughout the play, dreams are an important factor in how his dreams might turn out to be hopeless, which relates perfectly to the title of the play, A Raisin in the Sun. In life, people in their childhood bring out hopefulness and have an immense impact on what their peers can relate back to in troubling dilemmas. This brings many possibilities later in the life of the Younger family.

References:

1. Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Vintage Books, 1959.
2. Stuckey, Sterling. “Race and Realism in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun.” American Literature, vol. 60, no. 4, 1988, pp. 562-578.
3. Bloom, Harold, editor. Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Infobase Publishing, 2008.
4. Watson, Steven. “Childhood Dreams and Social Realities in A Raisin in the Sun.” Modern Drama, vol. 58, no. 4, 2015, pp. 501-520.
5. Loos, Pamela, and Anne Fleche, editors. Lorraine Hansberry: A Research and Production Sourcebook. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1999.

The Dual Nature of Money in “A Raisin in the Sun”

Money’s Dual Role

If you could have anything in the world right now, what would that be? Now some would say a nice house and a fancy car. However, most people would say money. Money is important to people, it is used to pay your bills, buy groceries and exchange items with other people. Even though money is important, some people and families don’t have good funding from their jobs and live paycheck after paycheck. Living a life in debt is not an easy life to live. You don’t have as much or sometimes no choice in how you spend your money, and most live off the street because of it. People see money as a gift, but others can see it as a curse.

Money’s Impact in Drama

Multiple examples can be found in “A Raisin In The Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry this play can show you both the good and the bad side of money. On the one hand, the happiness money can bring to people helping them reach their goals, and on the other hand, it can make people go mad and argue with each other. “A Raisin In The Sun” takes place in the South side of Chicago in 1959, an african-american family is about to receive a check of $10,000 for an insurance policy from a deceased Mr.Younger. Everyone has an idea of what they would use the money for, Mama, the wife of Mr.Younger, would like to buy a house to share the dream she wanted with her husband. Mama’s son walter lee wants to use the money to invest in a liquor store. Beneatha’s dream is to become a doctor; however, by the play’s end, Walter’s lost investment puts both his and Beneatha’s dreams in jeopardy.

Money’s Destructive Influence

Money makes the world go round in the country we live in now, and it’s been that way for a long time, money gives you power, and some people can go crazy because of it. Walter Lee was one person that let money go to his head. At the beginning of the play, we can see early Walter’s dream of opening up a liquor store, but Mama has other plans with the cash, she plans on buying something more for the family, a new home. The insurance money makes Walter more aggressive as the play goes on, even to the point of yelling at his mother about how much he wants money “I want so many things that they are driving me kind of crazy…Mama – look at me.” (act one scene two Lorraine Hansberry) this clearly indicates how money can make someone go mad the desire to have more than what you got can have a very bad negative effects on a person.

Dual Nature of Money’s Impact

Dreams have a big impact on this play, and just as money is a bad thing, it can also cause good. Mama’s and her husband’s dream was to have a new home, and Mama finally gets to have her dream in the play not only did she buy a new home, but she was able to give cash to her family as well. With the insurance money, Mama has made everyone happy around the time this play takes place, money is very scarce for family’s, so when everyone hears it was 10,000 dollars, the family is taken by shock because they are used to not having any at all.

Everyone has a different take on what money is to them, but A raisin in the Sun does a very good job showing both the good and the bad side of money it shows us, the reader or the audience, that on one side, money can make your dream become a reality like with Mama and her new home, and the not so pretty side where it engulfs’s your life and you want it all. Just like how Walter became obsessed with money and it was the only thing he wanted, however, Mama grew up in a time where freedom was the only thing that they could ask for. “So now it’s life. Money is life.

Once upon a time freedom used to be life – now it’s money. I guess the world really do change…” (page 7). Mama has more wisdom growing up in rough conditions, but w]Walter didn’t have to struggle like Mama had too, and because of this, it shows how money can shape people’s minds and make it seem like a need in their life.

References:

1. Hansberry, L. (1959). A Raisin In The Sun. Random House.
2. McClinton, J. (2001). Money and Dreams in “A Raisin in the Sun”. In A Companion to Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun (pp. 85-97). Greenwood Publishing Group.
3. Schwartz, B. (2004). The Influence of Money on Human Behavior. Psychological Science Agenda, 17(5), 7-8.
4. Kasser, T., & Kanner, A. D. (2004). Psychology and Consumer Culture: The Struggle for a Good Life in a Materialistic World. American Psychological Association.
5. Mills, C. W. (1951). White Collar: The American Middle Classes. Oxford University Press.
6. Du Bois, W. E. B. (1903). The Souls of Black Folk. A.C. McClurg & Co.