The play, A Raisin in the Sun, was written by Lorraine Hansberry in the 1950s. Her play takes place sometime between World War II and the present day. It represented the struggles and hardships faced by African Americans living in mid-20th century America. The characters Walter and Lena greatly influence the plot of A Raisin in the Sun through actions, dialogue, and stage directions.
Lena is one of the most influential characters to the plot, due to the fact that it was her husband that died, resulting in the obtaining of her check, which allowed the plot to begin to develop. In Act I, Scene 1, Lena says, “…Some of it got to be put away for Beneatha and her schoolin’—and ain’t nothing going to touch that part of it. Nothing.” As she has been …show more content…
This is due to the fact that Walter is responsible for the majority of arguments and emotional events in the story, especially the ones involving Lena’s check. For example, in Act II, Scene 1, Walter returns home in a drunken state, as he feels he is, as he puts it, “…a giant—surrounded by ants! Ants who can’t even understand what it is the giant is talking about.” He eventually starts pestering George, who puts him off as insignificant. This leads to Walter getting worked up and angry, leading to a revelation of sorts between him and Ruth, as to the state of their marriage, when he says, “…we all tied up in a race of people that don’t know how to do nothing but moan, pray, and have babies!” Ruth, in turn, gives up trying to talk to him, and says, “Well—I guess I might as well go on to bed…I don’t know where we lost it…but we have…I—I’m sorry about this new baby, Walter. I guess maybe I better go on and do what I started…” This leads to what also makes Walter an influential character to the plot—matters having to do with the check. In Act II, Scene 2, Walter is moping around, with his boss threatening to fire him, causing Lena gives in and lets Walter decide what to do with what’s left of the money. She tells him she wants him to “take this money and take 3,000 dollars and put it in a savings account for Beneatha’s medical schooling. The rest you put in a checking account—with your name on it. And from now on any penny
Lena is one of the most influential characters to the plot, due to the fact that it was her husband that died, resulting in the obtaining of her check, which allowed the plot to begin to develop. In Act I, Scene 1, Lena says, “…Some of it got to be put away for Beneatha and her schoolin’—and ain’t nothing going to touch that part of it. Nothing.” As she has been …show more content…
This is due to the fact that Walter is responsible for the majority of arguments and emotional events in the story, especially the ones involving Lena’s check. For example, in Act II, Scene 1, Walter returns home in a drunken state, as he feels he is, as he puts it, “…a giant—surrounded by ants! Ants who can’t even understand what it is the giant is talking about.” He eventually starts pestering George, who puts him off as insignificant. This leads to Walter getting worked up and angry, leading to a revelation of sorts between him and Ruth, as to the state of their marriage, when he says, “…we all tied up in a race of people that don’t know how to do nothing but moan, pray, and have babies!” Ruth, in turn, gives up trying to talk to him, and says, “Well—I guess I might as well go on to bed…I don’t know where we lost it…but we have…I—I’m sorry about this new baby, Walter. I guess maybe I better go on and do what I started…” This leads to what also makes Walter an influential character to the plot—matters having to do with the check. In Act II, Scene 2, Walter is moping around, with his boss threatening to fire him, causing Lena gives in and lets Walter decide what to do with what’s left of the money. She tells him she wants him to “take this money and take 3,000 dollars and put it in a savings account for Beneatha’s medical schooling. The rest you put in a checking account—with your name on it. And from now on any penny