Title: Money Money Money
Money is a huge part of everyone’s lives. Whether it be from buying a coffee or taking the bus, money is everywhere in life, but people have diverse views on it and its role in our present society. In A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, money plays a central role in the play, with the story revolving around Walter Younger, Beneatha, and Mama’s different views on money and how it should be used.
Walter believes money is all there is to life and constantly thinks about it and how to get more of it, even at the expense of others. For example, Mama says this about Walter “One done lost his mind thinking ‘bout money all the time” (1.2.52). Walter is so obsessed with money, that even his own mother is talking about his obsession behind his back. This also hints at how Walter later says that money is life and that it is the most important thing
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Mama’s opinion on money is partially seen when she says “Once upon a time, freedom used to be life - now it’s money” (1.2.79). This was said in response to Walter proclaiming that money is life, a statement she vehemently disagrees with. In this, we can see how Mama thinks that freedom is more important than money and that she is disappointed in Walter’s view of money. Mama also shows that money can be good when she says “she went out and bought you a house” (3.1.91). This is when Mama used a part of the insurance money to go and buy a house for them to move into, much to Walter’s chagrin. The Youngers were staying in a tiny apartment for a long time and Mama uses the money for the common good, getting her family a nice, big house for them to live in. Overall, Mama’s view on money is that it can be good and helpful for others, but it is also dangerous and a double-edged sword that should be treated with caution and