A Raisin In The Sun Mother Daughter Relationship Essay

Conflicts with parental figures are a universal experience that exposes immaturities and misunderstandings, typically of both parties. These disputes are further amplified by contracting cultural identities that come as a product of growing up in dissimilar time periods. Such components of familial disputes are present in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun (1959), being especially noteworthy in the mother-daughter relationship between Mama and Beneatha Younger. The Youngers are an African American family living in a run-down apartment in Chicago which is reflected in the family members’ self prescribed cultural identities. Using the lens of generational culture helps illuminate Beneatha maturing and Mama learning to understand her daughter’s

As Beneatha warns her to not say anything ignorant related to Africa, Mama questions why she should know anything regarding Africa. Beneatha retorts by noting that Mama donates to the church for African missionary work to, “save them from heathenism” (Hansberry 57). While Mama is disconnected from her African heritage, Beneatha seeks to embrace it. By helping convert African people to Catholicism, Mama views African people as a foreign entity rather than people of her culture. After meeting Asagai, Mama repeats Beneatha’s talking points from their recent conversation focusing on how Africa is viewed by the common American. More specifically, she monologues that, “all that money they pour into these churches when they ought to be helping you people over there drive out them French and Englishmen done taken away your land” (Hansberry 64). Despite having just argued with her, Mama mirrors Beneatha’s perspective to appeal to Asagai. Mama’s support for Beneatha is evident in a way that cannot simply be dismissed as politeness for a house guest. Repeating her points almost word by word also proves that Mama pays attention when Benetha explains her journey to find her cultural identity, thus being acutely aware of her struggle. Although Mama is detached from her African roots, she values Beneatha’s choices enough to temporarily put away her

After Mama comments that she should not waste her time with fools, Beneatha pauses. She then thanks her for, “understanding (her) this time” (Hansberry 98). At first, Mama was confused that Beneatha did not want to marry George, thinking that the reason that his family was wealthy was childish. When she realizes Beneatha’s disgust to George’s misogynistic attitude, Mama changes her stance and encourages her to leave him which showcases that she does not desire to command her daughter’s relationships and identity. Beneatha’s spoken appreciation to her mother’s support is indicative of her maturity. However after Walter puts on a caricature of a stereotypical black archetype when he was at his lowest point, Beneatha decides that he is not her brother anymore, presenting her stubborn attitude yet again. Mama lectures her regarding abandoning her brother in his time of need and tells her that, “(she) ain’t through learning” (Hansberry 145). Beneatha is repulsed by Walter’s grotesque ‘performance’ and takes it as an insult to their family’s cultural pride. In turn, Mama is disappointed in her for mistaking Walter’s display as something to disgrace him rather than to pity for. While recognizing her growth, Mama emphasizes that Beneatha has a way to go in growing and finding her values. Although they do not completely agree yet, Mama has learned to better