Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

In Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, she discusses many types of dreams and familial situations. The drama shows how life was in 1950s Chicago for a lower-income, African-American family: the Youngers. Composed of Walter, his wife, son, mother and sister, the Younger family faces many trials as they try to move up in status, figure out what to do with the ten thousand dollar life insurance check, and attempt to achieve their dreams. In the story, Walter plays both the protagonist and antagonist, in a very antihero sort of way, aiming to help the family, but ultimately losing some respect from his family, along with most of their money. Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, Walter Younger grows from a money-obsessed man into a more caring

Though all of the members are extremely different from one another, they all respect Lena as the head of the household and her values. She has raised her kids the best she could and always tries to give them everything they need. Walter sees this, but, because he is the only man in the house, wants to be in that top spot. He is rather unkind to everyone else living in the apartment because he believes that he should be the head of the household. In the beginning of the play, Walter is especially rude to his wife and when his sister, Bennie, decides that she would like to be a doctor, he is not supportive at all and has very little faith in her aspirations. While talking to Bennie about her future, Walter yells, “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people – then go be a nurse like other women – or just get married and be quiet” (Hansberry 1465). Not only does he not think Bennie should be a doctor, he thinks she should just be a housewife, which is very disrespectful to her. The only members of the Younger family that Walter truly respects are his mother and his son, Travis. Lena, because she is his mother and has taught him everything he knows, and Travis, because he is Walter’s only child and Walter wants to give him as much as he possibly can. All Walter wants to do throughout the play is to provide for Travis; that is why he decides to go through with the liquor store. He believes that it will bring in enough money to give Travis, and Lena, a better life. As the play progresses, Walter learns that he really does need to care more for the rest of his family. After losing the money for Bennie’s medical education (along with the downpayment for Lena’s new home) Walter finds out that he cannot survive without the help of the other Youngers. Though Walter becomes rather pessimistic and causes the family great distress, he learns that the most valuable relationships