What would you do if a $10,000 check showed up in your mailbox? The play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry tells the story of an African-American family, the Younger’s, who live in Chicago. Hansberry was born in Chicago and has had many experiences similar to the Younger’s that led her to write A Raisin in the Sun. This play takes place around the 1950’s, a time when segregation was very active in Chicago. Each of the adults in the Younger family have their own dreams of what to do with a $10,000 check that Mama receives when her husband dies. Walter, Mama’s grown son, wants to buy a liquor store; Beneatha, Walter’s sister, wants to be a doctor; Mama wants to buy a house; and Ruth, Walter’s wife, wants a new home to live in. Mama
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In the first scene of the play, Walter gets into an argument with his wife about his dreams. His wife just wants him to be quiet and stop talking and talking about how he wants to be this rich man, but never does anything. Walter says to her, “I been married eleven years and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room, and all I got to give him is stories about how rich white people live” (34). Walter wants to become rich, so his son will respect him more. The scene expresses Walter’s dream to be more successful and have stories of his own business deals to tell his son about, rather than telling stories of what kind of deals rich white people make. Walter thinks that he will be a failure as a dad and provider if he doesn't end up becoming rich. If only Walter could realize that his son just wants to be able to spend time with him. In the same scene, Walter argues with his sister Beneatha about why she needs to be a doctor. Walter says, “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” (38). This scene is important because it hints that Walter may be jealous of his sister. She is going to be more successful and wealthy than him if she becomes a doctor, and Walter doesn’t want that to happen. Walter feels insecure about himself in comparison to Beneatha and doesn’t like how she is actually trying to do something with her life. He would rather have her abandon her dream and just act like a normal person than become wealthier and more successful than him. A final example of Walter feeling like a failure occurs in a conversation between him and Mama when discussing how the check will be distributed. Mama says, “Son--how come you talk so much ‘bout money?” Walter
In the first scene of the play, Walter gets into an argument with his wife about his dreams. His wife just wants him to be quiet and stop talking and talking about how he wants to be this rich man, but never does anything. Walter says to her, “I been married eleven years and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room, and all I got to give him is stories about how rich white people live” (34). Walter wants to become rich, so his son will respect him more. The scene expresses Walter’s dream to be more successful and have stories of his own business deals to tell his son about, rather than telling stories of what kind of deals rich white people make. Walter thinks that he will be a failure as a dad and provider if he doesn't end up becoming rich. If only Walter could realize that his son just wants to be able to spend time with him. In the same scene, Walter argues with his sister Beneatha about why she needs to be a doctor. Walter says, “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” (38). This scene is important because it hints that Walter may be jealous of his sister. She is going to be more successful and wealthy than him if she becomes a doctor, and Walter doesn’t want that to happen. Walter feels insecure about himself in comparison to Beneatha and doesn’t like how she is actually trying to do something with her life. He would rather have her abandon her dream and just act like a normal person than become wealthier and more successful than him. A final example of Walter feeling like a failure occurs in a conversation between him and Mama when discussing how the check will be distributed. Mama says, “Son--how come you talk so much ‘bout money?” Walter