Posted by Kim Mraz (130.86.26.163) on June 22, 2005 at 6:15:17 p.m.:
A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry, which is a drama that has many themes tied to the story. The main themes that were shown in this drama were the significance of family and unity, the appreciation and the reasons to have dreams and aspirations for the future and also the struggle and fight of discriminations of any kind that are apparent in their society. Family is important to the Younger’s and Mama also known as Lena Younger will make her feelings about family unity very noticed. While Walter, Mama’s son will try to get his way, but is seen making a sort of compromise with his mother and actually with his whole family.
In Act One, Scene One Mama shows that family is very important to her and that she would have nothing keeping her away from the wonderful things in life. She is trying to improve herself as well as her family. Mama received some money from the death of her husband and she is trying to do what is right for the family as a whole instead of just throwing it away to the world. Mama reminisces about Big Walter commenting, “Seem like God didn’t see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams-but He did give us children to make them dreams seem worthwhile” (1383). With this said, Mama thinks of what her husband would do with the money and that is what she strives to accomplish no matter what. Mama is strong willed and believes that the family can accomplish anything if they stick together. Walter Lee, Mama’s son who has an idea of investing the money into a liquor store. He believes that this will improve the family wealth and meaning to society. Walter is the “head of household” and it is important for him to take care of his family while he can. The only problem with that is that Mama is very religious and Walter’s idea of investing money into a liquor store is way too much to ask of her. Ruth is the wife of Walter and also wants only what is best for the family. She acknowledges that the family is in need of money to raise themselves out of their situation. They need to make money in order to make them more accepted in their society. Ruth makes a comment to Mama in Act One, Scene One saying “Walter Lee say colored people ain’t never going to start getting ahead till they start gambling on some different kinds of things in the world-investments and things” (1381). This shows that Ruth is trying to show Mama that some sacrifices should be taken to improve. Such as: Investing this insurance money into the liquor store could make them a lot of money, but they could also loose their money. Mama makes it known that Walter Lee is not the head of household when Mama says to Beneatha, “There are some ideas we ain’t going to have in this house. Not as long as I am head of this family” (1386).
In Act One, Scene Two Mama finds out that Ruth is carrying a child in her for the past two months. Mama is happy to hear the news, but is not happy about hearing that Ruth is considering abortion. Mama tried to get Walter Lee to talk with his wife, but Walter just responds by saying “I can talk to her later-Mama, look-“ (1394). Walter dismisses his mothers comment on having him talk with his wife about Ruth being pregnant and thinking of an abortion. Instead he thinks of all the work and efforts that the family has been involved in and does not get any glory out of. Walter so much wants only good things for his family and he wants to be the one that gives it, but he has the hardest time getting in the right words and making his ideas sound good instead of a huge risk. Walter saw that his wife has to work so hard and Mama has to work hard as well. Walter does not want his wife and mother having to work so hard to get the same outcome and be proud of what they have accomplished. Walter says to his mother “…and tell it to my wife, Mama, tomorrow when she had to go out of here to look after somebody else’s kids. And tell it to me, Mama, every time we need a new pair of curtains and I have to watch you go out and work in somebody’s kitchen. Yeah, you tell me then! (1395). Walter gets very upset that there is nothing that he can do to help support the family except invest that money with his friends in the liquor store. Mama just will not allow that to happen. Mama again makes it known that she is in charge and will remain in charge while she is still around to talk, by saying to Walter “Ain’t nobody said you wasn’t grown. But you still in my house and my presence. And as long as you are-you’ll talk to your wife civil. Now sit down” (1395).
At the end of Act One, Scene One Mama believes that Walter Lee can be a man, but he needs the right nudge and the right step in the right direction. Walter already believes that he is doing the right thing, but Mama is holding him back. Walter talks with his wife after talking with George, who is his investment partner. Walter tells Ruth that life could be better and he really wants better situations by saying “Honey…life don’t have to be like this. I mean sometimes people can do things so things are better…” (1403). This shows that Ruth and Walter are both thinking that life can be better for the entire family including Mama that is so against his idea of investment into a product. Again Walter talks with Mama trying to show whose boss, but once again Mama shows him that she is in charge.
Mama goes and buys a house with the money. Travis, Ruth and Walter Lee’s son is so excited about living in house. Walter and Ruth were excited as well because they were stepping up in the world. They were happy until they had heard where the house was located. This house is going to be owned by the only black people, this house was the only house owned by a black family. Mama is the head of household and feels that this is what she needs to do for her family to make a better life. “I just tried to find the nicest place for the least amount of money for my family” (1405). At this point Walter is acknowledging that Mama play the main head in the family. She went out and saw that the family was falling apart and there was a loss of unity. To rekindle that feeling Mama bought a house. Now that the house was bought Mama can take it easy and watch her family be built again. Life should be easier for them.
Now that they were once living in the Southside of Chicago in the 1950’s Mama did not realize how hard it was going to be to be accepted in that particular white neighborhood. They were raised in a black community and did not know anything except for that. Mama thinking that life was just going to be ok was naive of her. While in the process of moving to Clybourne Park on Clybourne Street, they had met a man named Mr. Linder. Mr. Linder was a representative of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association. When Walter heard what association he was with, there was already some feeling of disappointment in the community. Walter knew that there were going to be problems, but not so early in there move. Mr. Linder as a representative tried to convince the Younger family not to move to a white community. Mr. Linder says “…you see our community is made up of people who’ve worked hard as the dickens for years to build up that little community. …I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesn’t enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that out Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities” (1417).
Again family is very important and with Mr. Linder saying this only made the Younger family want to remain there and set an example for other people letting them know that dreams and aspirations can come true if you fight hard enough. Nothing is free, and after realizes this it made life a lot easier knowing that you have to give a little to get some.
Word Count: 1480