Characters
Walter Lee Younger
Walter Lee Younger is a complex and multifaceted character whose aspirations, frustrations, and internal conflicts drive much of the play's narrative. At first glance, Walter Lee appears to be a typical working-class African American man living in 1950s Chicago. He is in his mid-30s, married to Ruth, and the father of a young son named Travis.
Walter Lee is a dreamer, consumed by the desire to improve his family's socio-economic status and escape the poverty and discrimination that have defined their lives. Despite his dreams, Walter Lee is also deeply disillusioned. He works as a chauffeur for a wealthy white family, a job that he finds demeaning and unfulfilling. His frustration with his lack of financial success and social status often manifests as anger and resentment, particularly toward his sister, Beneatha, whose aspirations for a career in medicine seem frivolous compared to his own practical concerns.
However, beneath Walter Lee's outward bravado lies a profound sense of insecurity and vulnerability. He grapples with feelings of inadequacy and emasculation, exacerbated by his inability to provide for his family in the way he desires. This inner turmoil leads him to make impulsive and reckless decisions, such as investing his family's insurance money in a risky business venture without consulting them.
Despite his flaws, Walter Lee is a deeply human character who elicits both sympathy and frustration from the audience. His struggle to reconcile his dreams with the harsh realities of racism and economic inequality is emblematic of the larger African American experience during the Civil Rights era. Ultimately, Walter Lee's journey is one of self-discovery and redemption, as he learns to prioritize his family's well-being over his own ambitions.
Lena Younger
Lena Younger, often referred to as Mama, is the matriarch of the Younger family. She is a central and formidable figure whose strength, wisdom, and unwavering faith anchor the family amidst their struggles. Mama is a woman of strong religious conviction, and her deep faith serves as a guiding force in her life. Her belief in God shapes her decisions and actions, providing her with a sense of purpose and resilience even in the face of adversity. Her faith also gives her hope for a better future for her family.
As the head of the household, Mama carries the weight of responsibility for her family's well-being on her shoulders. Despite facing numerous challenges, including the recent death of her husband and the constant strain of poverty, she remains steadfast in her determination to provide a better life for her children and grandchildren. Mama's character is defined by her selflessness and generosity. She is always willing to make sacrifices for the sake of her family, even if it means putting her own needs and desires aside. Her unconditional love and support serve as a source of strength for her children, particularly her son, Walter Lee, whom she sees struggling with his own ambitions and frustrations.
At the same time, Mama is a woman of practicality and pragmatism. She is not swayed by materialistic desires or grandiose dreams because she values hard work, humility, and integrity. Her wisdom and grounded perspective often serve as a voice of reason amidst the turmoil that surrounds her family. Mama is a deeply compassionate, resilient, and principled character whose staunch faith and strength of character make her the heart and soul of the Younger family.
Beneatha Younger
Beneatha Younger, Walter Lee’s sister, is a vibrant and complex character whose aspirations and intellectual curiosity set her apart within her family and community. She is a young African American woman in her 20s with a fervent desire for self-discovery and personal fulfillment. She is fiercely independent and unapologetically outspoken, challenging the traditional gender roles and societal expectations placed upon the women of her time.
At the heart of Beneatha's character is her passion for education and her ambition to become a doctor. Her pursuit of a medical career symbolizes her determination to break free from the limitations imposed by race and gender, and she seeks to carve out her own identity and purpose in life. Beneatha is also deeply committed to her African heritage. She explores her cultural identity through her interest in African history, music, and dance, embracing her historic culture as a source of strength and empowerment. Her desire to connect with her African roots reflects her rejection of assimilationist ideals and her quest for authenticity and self-awareness.
Despite her progressive ideals and intellectual pursuits, Beneatha is not immune to the challenges and contradictions of her time. She grapples with issues of identity, love, and social justice. Right from the opening scene of the play, we see her navigating the complexities of her relationships with her family members—particularly her brother Walter Lee, whose materialistic aspirations often clash with her own values. Beneatha Younger comes across as a dynamic and multifaceted character whose intelligence, independence, and passion for self-discovery make her a compelling figure in the play. Her journey is one of personal growth and empowerment as she strives to reconcile her individual aspirations with the realities of race, gender, and family dynamics in 1950s America.
Ruth Younger
Ruth Younger, the wife of Walter Lee Younger, is a resilient and pragmatic woman whose strength and perseverance serve as a stabilizing force within her family. She is a woman in her 30s who is worn down by the daily struggles of life as an African American woman in 1950s Chicago. Despite facing systemic racism, financial hardship, and the challenges of raising a child in poverty, Ruth remains steadfast in her determination to keep her family together and provide a better future for her son.
At the core of Ruth's character is her selflessness and devotion to her family. She works tirelessly as a domestic servant to support her husband's dreams and ensure her son's well-being, often sacrificing her own needs and desires in the process. Her love for her family is unwavering, even in the face of adversity and disappointment. Ruth is also a pragmatic and resourceful woman who approaches life with a practical mindset. She is not one to dwell on dreams or fantasies, so instead she focuses on the tangible realities of her situation. Her ability to adapt to difficult circumstances and make the best of what she has is a testament to her resilience and inner strength.
Despite her outward stoicism, Ruth grapples with her own insecurities and vulnerabilities. She harbors doubts about her husband's ability to provide for their family and struggles with feelings of inadequacy as a wife and mother. This fact even makes her consider an abortion at one point in the play. However, she ultimately finds solace in her faith and in the love and support of her family. Ruth's resilience, pragmatism, and nurturing love help make her a pillar of strength within her family.
Joseph Asagai and George Murchison
Joseph Asagai and George Murchison are both similar yet deeply contrasting characters. As Beneatha's fellow medical students and competing suitors for her affection, they both seek to stimulate her intellect in different ways. However, these men are quite different when it comes to their outlook on life.
Joseph Asagai, a Nigerian student, embodies intellect, cultural pride, and idealism. He introduces Beneatha to African arts and philosophy, urging her to embrace her heritage. Asagai serves as Beneatha's mentor and romantic interest, offering guidance and a sense of belonging. He encourages her to pursue her dreams without compromising her values.
In contrast, the uppity George Murchison epitomizes assimilationist ideas because he hails from privilege and prioritizes mainstream American culture. He dismisses Beneatha's interest in African heritage, focusing on practical pursuits instead. Their relationship is filled with tension due to their conflicting views on race and identity. George often belittles Beneatha for her intellectual pursuits and progressive beliefs. The stark contrast between these suitors helps us get a better perspective on culture, heritage, education, identity, money, and the value of individual thought and freedom.
Karl Lindner
Karl Lindner is a pivotal character in Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun," representing the insidious nature of racism and the threat it poses to the Younger family's aspirations for a better life. Lindner is a white representative from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association who visits the Younger family to dissuade them from moving into a predominantly white neighborhood. He approaches the family under the guise of concern for the community's harmony, but his underlying motive is to prevent African American residents from integrating into the neighborhood.
Lindner embodies the institutional racism and discrimination prevalent in 1950s America. He uses polite language and veiled threats to pressure the Younger family into conforming to the accepted societal norms for that problematic era. He offers them a financial incentive to not move into the neighborhood, suggesting that their presence would devalue the property and create tension among the residents. Despite his outward civility, Lindner's character is morally reprehensible, representing the systemic oppression faced by African Americans at the hands of white society. His attempts to undermine the Younger family's dreams for a better life highlight the pervasive racism that permeates every aspect of their lives.
