A Raisin In The Sun Younger Family Essay

People say money makes the world go round, but what about family? The play, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry explores this problem by showing the reader the lives of the Younger Family. The Younger family are an African American family living in Chicago in the 1950s. The oldest son in the family Walter is a greedy and ambitious person that is obsessed with money. Walter Younger changes from a greedy, money obsessed man to a caring, family man due to his own family’s influence on him. His character change demonstrates one of the main themes of the play which is the importance of family.

Walter Younger starts off as a self absorbed, greedy man who cares about making money fast and moving up in life. Walter thinks he knows best on what

Walter listens and respects his mother because she is older and wiser. An example of this would be when Mama has a conversation with Walter about change and needing to do something different in their lives. “We couldn’t of gone on like we was today. We was going backwards ‘stead of forwards – talking ‘bout killing babies and wishing each other was dead . . . When it gets like that in life – you just got to do something different, push on out and do something bigger” (Act III). Mama is reflecting on the struggles and challenges faced by her family, and expressing the need for change and growth to Walter in order to move forward. Mama's words resonate with Walter and help him to see that he needs to change his approach and pursue something bigger than just making money. Walter continues to show how he is feeling to Mama by expressing his frustration and disillusionment with his life, and how he feels that his dreams and aspirations have been unfulfilled. “Walter – what you ain't never understood is that I ain't got nothing, don't own nothing, ain't never really wanted nothing that wasn't for you. . . . There ain't nothing worth holding on to, money, dreams, nothing else – if it means – if it means it's going to destroy my boy. . . .” (Act III). The quote is showing Walter's change of heart regarding his values and priorities, particularly in relation to his family after losing the

Walter shows this when he speaks to Karl Lindner, a representative from the white neighborhood association who has offered to buy the Younger family's new house in an attempt to prevent them from moving in. “And we have decided to move into our house because my father – my father – he earned it for us brick by brick. We don’t want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors. And that’s all we got to say about that. We don’t want your money” (Act III). The quote shows that Walter has undergone a significant change in his character and the way he views life. Walter shows he cares more about his family than just money. Walter’s mama noticed his character change by the end of the play. Mama states, “He finally come into his manhood today, didn’t he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain . . .” (Act III, Scene I). The quote shows people around Walter are noticing his maturity and they are proud he has realized family is more important than money. Walter has matured past his desires and ambition to become a better