During the time period between World War 2 and the 1970s, African Americans were treated with disrespect. They were segregated and lived apart from the white people. They suffered through harsh conditions and had a very difficult life. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is a play which highlights the struggles of these harsh conditions. In the script, an african american family has issues living in a tight apartment in South-Side Chicago. The reader sees how Mama, Walter, Beneatha and Ruth reacts when the life insurance check for their grandfather comes. Throughout all of this, Hansberry illustrates that money causes tension in relationships through character interactions. To start off, money affects the relationship of Mama and Walter.
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Shocked by Walter’s greediness, Mama proclaims to Walter, “...you are a disgrace to your father’s memory.”(I.2.59) Mama wants to let Walter know about the behavior that he is displaying. In Walter’s eyes, he is making a reasonable goal that just needs one more component to accomplish it. However, Mama thinks he is being too selfish by using his father’s money the wrong way. In the following act, the two characters argue again after Mama decides to use the money to buy a house. Walter says, “So you butchered up a dream of mine-you- who always talking ‘bout your children’s dreams…”(II.1.79) Walter makes Mama feel bad about herself by saying things to make her feel guilty. The quote shows how Mama’s decision affects Walter’s emotions. Later, Mama finally decides to give the extra money to Walter, which has a direct effect on him. His mood changes from depressed to upbeat and optimistic. However, in Act II scene 3, things take …show more content…
Ruth and Walter also are affected by the topic of money. During the very first scene in the play, Walter verbally envisions his dream to Ruth, but she says that it is too unreasonable. She tells him to just eat his breakfast. Walter is frustrated and responds with, “Man say to his woman: I got a dream. His woman say: Eat your eggs.” (I.1.17) Walter is extremely passionate about investing in this liquor store, and having someone shut it down makes him very angry and upset. We see Ruth as the one who’s “been there done that” and just accepts the fact that they’re living in terrible conditions and that they probably won’t change for the rest of her life. Walter, on the other hand, sees things positively. He has hope for the future. After Mama gets the check and decides to buy a house, Walter believes are ruined. Ruth, on the other hand, is excited for the new opportunity. She sees Walter disappointed and says “Walter honey, be glad-”(II.1.56) Ruth really wants to get out of the house, but she also feels sympathy because of Walter’s dilemma. The excerpt can again be traced back to money, for Mama used it to buy a house, which made Walter depressed. Another conflict is brought up when Walter says something to Ruth that not even Walter expected. Ruth and Walter are in an argument, and Ruth asks why Walter fights her. Walter says, “Who’s fighting you! Who even cares about you?”(II.1.58) This darkens the mood
Shocked by Walter’s greediness, Mama proclaims to Walter, “...you are a disgrace to your father’s memory.”(I.2.59) Mama wants to let Walter know about the behavior that he is displaying. In Walter’s eyes, he is making a reasonable goal that just needs one more component to accomplish it. However, Mama thinks he is being too selfish by using his father’s money the wrong way. In the following act, the two characters argue again after Mama decides to use the money to buy a house. Walter says, “So you butchered up a dream of mine-you- who always talking ‘bout your children’s dreams…”(II.1.79) Walter makes Mama feel bad about herself by saying things to make her feel guilty. The quote shows how Mama’s decision affects Walter’s emotions. Later, Mama finally decides to give the extra money to Walter, which has a direct effect on him. His mood changes from depressed to upbeat and optimistic. However, in Act II scene 3, things take …show more content…
Ruth and Walter also are affected by the topic of money. During the very first scene in the play, Walter verbally envisions his dream to Ruth, but she says that it is too unreasonable. She tells him to just eat his breakfast. Walter is frustrated and responds with, “Man say to his woman: I got a dream. His woman say: Eat your eggs.” (I.1.17) Walter is extremely passionate about investing in this liquor store, and having someone shut it down makes him very angry and upset. We see Ruth as the one who’s “been there done that” and just accepts the fact that they’re living in terrible conditions and that they probably won’t change for the rest of her life. Walter, on the other hand, sees things positively. He has hope for the future. After Mama gets the check and decides to buy a house, Walter believes are ruined. Ruth, on the other hand, is excited for the new opportunity. She sees Walter disappointed and says “Walter honey, be glad-”(II.1.56) Ruth really wants to get out of the house, but she also feels sympathy because of Walter’s dilemma. The excerpt can again be traced back to money, for Mama used it to buy a house, which made Walter depressed. Another conflict is brought up when Walter says something to Ruth that not even Walter expected. Ruth and Walter are in an argument, and Ruth asks why Walter fights her. Walter says, “Who’s fighting you! Who even cares about you?”(II.1.58) This darkens the mood