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Mama's Decisions In The Raisin And The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry

730 Words3 Pages

In the book The Raisin and the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Mama would not have stopped Walter Lee when he decided to accept Mr. Lindner’s offer to trade their new house for money because she gave Walter control over the family and the power to make decisions, that would impact his family. She loves him and will always trust him, but she wants to make sure that Walter understands his plan and how it will impact him and his family.

Mama saw, before Walter lost the insurance money, that Walter Lee was struggling with what his place was in the family. Mama made her last decision, as the head of the family, and bought a house with some of the insurance money. She then gave the rest of the money to Walter. This was an act of trust shown by Mama, that helped Walter believe that his dreams were still possible and that his Mama trusts him to take care of their family. “I'm telling you to be the head of this family,” (546) she told him. Due to the fact that she handed Walter the insurance money and the authority, she wasn't going to stop him when he decided to take …show more content…

Ruth wanted Travis to wait outside, but Mama said, “‘No, Travis you stay right here. And you make him understand what you doing, Walter Lee. You teach him good...’” (574). If she couldn't change Walter’s mind, maybe having his son watching him could. Mama switched the game up a little bit by letting Travis stay because a son will always look up to his father, and a father knows this because they once did it themselves. What kind of example would Walter be setting for Travis if he begged and called Mr. Linder “master” like a slave? Not a good one, and it would mess with the kind of example is father set for him. Walter would be dishonoring his own father. Mama may not have made Walter’s decision easy for him by letting his son stay and watch, but she still trusted that Walter Lee would make the decision that he felt was

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Walter was a greedy character in the story ,but at the end he did what he thought was best for the future of his family. He noticed that he could not raise his family out of poverty alone, so he wanted to stay committed with his family. It seemed that all the family's dreams came true. Especially after all the hate,discrimination, and arguments there was finally a

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I honestly believe Ruth in the play did not have much of a impact on Walter Lee 's masculinity. Walter Lee ignores Ruth For most of the play and what she really wants for the family. Walter chooses to only focuses on what he believes the family should have. Walter Lee 's behavior towards her is taking a real toll on Ruth ,this is what has contributed to the deterioration of their relationship.

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These are all traits that would describe Walter Lee and his actions. Walter Lee is a character from the play A Raisin in the Sun in which a black family tries to get out of poverty and go against stereotypes by trying to start over with their Grandpa’s life insurance money. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry explores the concept that greed leads to being blinded by money and forgetting about one’s loved ones as shown by the climax of the play, the character of Walter Lee, and the effect that his actions have on the rest of his family. The Character of Walter Lee shows that greed blinding a person can cause him to forget about the ones he loves.

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973 Words | 4 Pages

Mama made a decision that put Walter in charge of the remaining money, however she did not know that this decision might not have been the best for the Younger family. Walter was hesitant in taking the money, but Mama reassures Walter by saying, "I ain't ever stop trusting you" (Hansberry 546). This line from Mama foreshadows the possibility that Walter will not obey her and do something foolish with the money. Walter proves this foreshadowing as he is talking to Travis and says, "... your daddy's gonna make a transaction... a business transaction that's going to change our lives" (Hansberry 547).

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Walter feels his job is more than unsatisfying, and can not make Mama understand, since her simplistic views are just like Ruths. In spite of his personal inadequacies with his job fulfillment, Walter shines in the end of the story with understanding and growth of his own fathers not so wonderful job. Walter seems to be reflecting on his own status as a

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1089 Words | 5 Pages

This is seen by the actions she takes to get to her goal, statements she makes towards her family members, and how she responds to her family when they are troubled. Mama has lived in her apartment for a long time with her family and is about to get enough money to change that. An example of Mama’s motivation to achieve her goal is shown when Ruth, her daughter-in-law and Mama are talking about what Mama would do with the insurance money. Mama states, “Been thinking that we maybe could meet the notes on a little old two-story somewhere, with a yard where Travis could play in the summertime, if we use part of the insurance for a down payment and everybody kind of pitch in” (563). Mama is suggesting to Ruth of what could be a better future for her son and their family.

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At one point in the story, Mama decides to give Walter the money to support his business because she felt as if she owed Walter. But, she

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Mama watches over her family every day. In the play, when Ruth finds out that she is pregnant, Mama helps her. Mama doesn’t make Ruth panic, Mama just cares for her. In Act I, Travis needs 50 cents for school. Ruth tells him no, but Walter gives it to him along with another 50 cents for school.

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(...) A man needs for a woman to back him up…” This shows that Walter feels that it’s his full responsibility to provide for his family and give them the money without being the “man” (head) of the family and make decisions about the money or take it and achieve his dream which collapsed in the end after the money was stolen by his best friend Willy Harris. Walter Lee wanted to achieve his dream by buying the liquor store with his family insurance money and prove that he is a man to his family after

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923 Words | 4 Pages

This could be for a variety of reason such as the way walter acted once mama received the money. He was always upset about not being the complete “breadwinner” and he technically wasn't the head of the house because mama was. Walter tries to make more money by investing in the liquor store. He loses the money because the man runs off with and mama warned him before so of course she becomes disappointed. “THAT MONEY IS MADE OUT OF MY FATHER’S FLESH!”

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861 Words | 4 Pages

Although Walter eventually does the morally correct thing he still has bad morals. Walter does the right thing by standing up to Lindner. When Lindner actually arrives and Walter is about to disgrace himself and the black community by begging Lindner for the money he can’t do it. Instead he says, “We don’t want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors.

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365 Words | 2 Pages

Ruth looks at Mama and says “oh, let him go on out and drink himself to death he makes me sick to my stomach”. This shows the younger family can’t deal with him going out and drinking. Ruth picks up the phone and Walter boss wife called to say,” if you don’t come in tomorrow they are getting a new man.”

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795 Words | 4 Pages

Although it may not seem like it all the time, there are many things he does that proves that differently. One of these many things he does, is in the beginning of the story he tells Travis, “In fact, here’s another fifty cents…Buy yourself some fruit today – or take a taxicab to school or something!” This statement is made by Walter to try and prevent their economic status from affecting his son. He wants his son to have everything that he deserves to have. Walter seems to be a very gentle, but yet tough love kinda doesn’t know what to do with his feelings type of guy.

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882 Words | 4 Pages

The main problem Walter deals with in the play is mamas inheritance money from Big Walter ( Their father and Mamas late husband ). Walter wants all the money for himself to open up a liquor store with his friends Bobo and Willy Harris. While mama a devoted christian does not want anything to do with thinking it won’t get her in the pearly gates of Heaven. This causes a lot of arguing in the house Walter saying to mama “ You just don’t understand, Mama, you just don’t understand “ (Page 74) In one of their heated arguments.

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679 Words | 3 Pages

Ruth’s familial focus is most evident through her love for her son, and because his happiness is one of her main priorities, her happiness becomes dependent on his. For instance, when Mama, Ruth’s mother-in-law, purchases a new house, Ruth shouts, “PRAISE GOD!” (Hansberry 535). A larger house would give Travis his own bedroom and grant him more space to

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