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A Raisin In The Sun Analytical Essay

759 Words4 Pages

Money is what makes the world go round; it's so important that day-to-day things like eating healthy and sleeping comfortably wouldn’t happen without it. To some, money is so important they would put it before their family. This issue can come from many things, but issues that plague society like the wealth gap and racial inequity can push these issues further. The play A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry analyzes ideas of race, money, and gender through the Younger family, a black family living in Chicago during the 1950s. In A Raisin in the sun, Lorraine Hansberry discusses how being selfish with money can cause turmoil in relationships through Walter Younger and his turmoil in his relationships with his wife, sister, and mother. Walter’s …show more content…

Yeah. You see, this little liquor store we got in mind cost seventy-five thousand and we figured the initial investment on the place be ‘bout thirty thousand, see. That be ten thousand each. Course there’s a couple hundred you got to pay so’s you don’t spend your life just waiting for them clowns to let your license get approved-
RUTH. You mean graft?
WALTER. (frowning impatiently) Don’t call it that. See there that just goes to show you that women understand about the world Baby, don't nothing happen for you in this world ‘less you pay somebody off!
RUTH. Walter leave me alone! (Hansberry 33).
The argument in this scene stems from Walter’s want to become wealthy. He thinks that by owning a business, he will suddenly lift his family out of poverty and oppression. Ruth pushes back on this idea by calling his plan a “graft” to her; the idea of investing the little money they have into a risky business investment is sketchy and not realistic for their family. Walter blames this on her not “understanding” the world and that nothing will happen for a person if you don’t pay somebody else. This argument also creates tensions in their marriage, as Walter shuts down his wife’s valid opinion on whether or not he should spend their small amount of money on a business that would not likely flourish in her eyes.In addition to a struggling relationship with his wife, Walter’sgreed causes havoc in his bond with his sister.After talking to Asagai and reflecting on hopes and dreams Beneatha reflects on Walters's action by

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In A Raisin in the Sun, Walter and Ruth have a personality that correlates to the traditional gender expectation. Walter has an abrupt nature, while Ruth is demure and quiet; the temperament of the two characters corresponds to a man expectation to be dominant and superior to women. Walter comments, “Don’t call it that. See there, that just goes to show you what women understand about the world. Baby, don’t nothing happen for you in this world ’less you pay somebody off!”

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Walter experience betrayal, from his friend taking the money that manipulated his life totally. The money that was cooking spark the light and him inspiring him to worry more about his family and not only focusing himself. Only recognizing the smiles in his family. A Raisin in the Sun Walter talks about “he told me to keep my eyes on what counts in the world”pg 569 act

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She is also upset because Walter is giving in to racial tension and calling Mr. Lindner back to negotiate taking money in exchange for not moving into the white neighborhood. Lena immediately snaps back and calls out Beneatha for not learning to care for her brother. In this scene Lena’s maternal instinct really shines through. Even though she is disappointed in Walters foolishness and lack of pride, she knows that Walter is at his lowest point and that persecution and ridicule will not help the situation in any way. She also understands that his pursuit of money wasn't for self interest but to make things better for the whole family.

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This is proven when Ruth and Walter were together and “[they] held hands” (Hansberry 111). This made Ruth happy for the reason that, Walter and she haven't been romantic in a while. This made her feel love again for Walter and it was something that needed to happen to improve the relationship. When Walter and the family received the money he started to improve his life and behavior and repaired his relationship with Ruth. If the family didn’t receive the money they wouldn’t have been put in this situation and their relationship wouldn’t have improved.

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A Raisin in the Sun Money is one of the things in the world that a person can become obsessed with. In the story “A Raisin in the sun” the author Lorraine Hansberry shows how a family is changed by the lust of money. A widow, Lena, her son Walter Younger, his wife Ruth and daughter Beneatha all lived under the same roof. Lena just lost her husband and is receiving a check for his death. With the money, Lena wants to buy a new house for the whole family to live in but everyone else in the family sees a different type of opportunity.

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Introduction: In Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun," the Younger family faces numerous challenges as African Americans living in poverty on Chicago's South Side in the 1950s. The play addresses themes of race, family, and the American Dream, which are still relevant in today's world. This essay argues that the experiences of Walter Lee Younger are most important to understand in our world today because they demonstrate the effects of systemic racism and the struggle for economic empowerment. Thesis Statement: Walter Lee Younger's experiences in "A Raisin in the Sun" are essential to understanding the impact of systemic racism and the fight for economic empowerment in our world today.

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