A Raisin In The Sun Poverty Essay

liyah Klein

ENG1D:

Mrs. Hyde

Due Date: Apr 2, 2023

The Impact of Poverty and Choices

In the play A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry analyzes how families are often forced to make decisions based on their poor financial circumstances. Firstly, when Ruth finds out she is pregnant, it causes conflict in the family because a child is not an affordable option. Also, when Walter receives a large cheque from Mama, he makes a risky investment as he is desperate to make more money. Furthermore, Mama finds herself in a difficult situation when she is forced to put a down payment on a house in a white neighbourhood, which causes the family to stand up against discrimination. In A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry illustrates how poverty influences

For instance, when Mama is talking to Walter about Ruth’s pregnancy and getting an abortion, Walter says, "No—no—Ruth wouldn’t do that" (77). However, Mama explains, “When the world gets ugly enough—a woman will do anything for her family” (77). Mama’s comment emphasizes that a woman will do whatever it takes to ensure her family's survival. Mama’s priorities are to have children and to financially support her family, but poverty makes the family have to choose between these two objectives. In this case, bringing a baby into the family creates a financial hardship, which may lead Ruth to make an immoral decision. Additionally, during the play, Mama gets angry at Walter for Ruth considering an abortion. Later, Mama lashes out at Walter for thinking about his financial situation rather than Ruth's thoughts on keeping the baby. Mama explains that "[he is] a disgrace to [his] father’s memory" (77). The reference to Mama's husband demonstrates how deeply she feels about Ruth’s pregnancy and how important family is to her. She believes that her father would have wanted Ruth and Walter to keep the baby, despite living in poverty. Overall, Mama's passion for her family exemplifies the sacrifices that people make when faced with poverty and how these sacrifices cause

Mama has a conversation with the family and tells them that she bought a house in a predominantly white neighbourhood. Mama explains, "Them houses they put up for coloured in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. And she explains that [she] did the best [she] could” (95). Mama bought a house in a white neighbourhood instead of a preferred black one because it was the best option that she could afford for her family. The decision of buying a house in a white neighbourhood represents the risks the youngers would take to try to live a better life. Mama takes a risk by moving into a white neighbourhood given its dangerous consequences as their neighbour, Mrs. Johnson warns them, “Lord--I bet this time next month y'all's names will have been in the papers plenty--NEGROES INVADE CLYBOURNE PARK---BOMBED!” (103) Mama is aware that black people are being attacked in white neighbourhoods and still buys the house highlighting the risk she is willing to take, including racism, to provide her family with a better life. At first, Ruth questions Mama’s decision and says, “mind you—but—well, wasn’t there no other houses nowhere?” However, later in the play, Mama’s decision to purchase the home brings the family closer together. For instance, Mr. Lindner offers to purchase the home for more than the amount that Mama paid for it. Mr. Lindner announces,