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A Raisin In The Sun Conflict Essay

818 Words4 Pages

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is a play set in the 1950s in Southside Chicago that uncovers the struggles of a black family. The play reflects the challenges and obstacles faced by the family as they try to fulfill their dreams and overcome the racial discrimination of the time. One of the central conflicts in the play is between Mama and Walter, the matriarch, and the head of the household in which their differing perspectives on how to use the insurance money they receive from the death of Walter’s father. The conflict comes from a generational gap of perspective and the different understandings of success in a tough American society in the 1950s The main source of conflict between Mama and Walter is their differing perspectives …show more content…

Mama is upset by this decision and feels that Walter has disregarded her insight and put the family at risk, however, feels bad and chooses to give him some of the money after putting a payment down on a house. The conflict at this point is at a climax and their disagreement highlights the differing values and priorities of Mama and Walter and underscores the complex challenges facing black families in America during the 1950s. The conflict between Mama and Walter is also symbolic of the larger social and political issues facing the black community in America. The play reflects the challenges and obstacles faced by black families as they try to fulfill their dreams and aspirations in a society that denies them equal opportunities. These challenges are a force that drives Mama's desire to maintain stability since she wants the generations that follow them to have an opportunity, they didn’t have whereas Walter represents an ambitious individual who wants to risk the success that can be given to the posterity by trying to bring immediate wealth to his family. Although Walter fails and loses the insurance money he invested, the family’s new house in Clybourne Park that Mama bought ensured their financial stability. According to an article about the assimilation and integration of the family in society discusses, “throughout the play the tension derives from Walter being impulsive and wanting to take action and Mama is there to provide him a realistic perspective.” Walter’s character development is heavily influenced by the conflict with his mother, and it helps him mature and be there for his family in different ways not just

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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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Walter further shows his false pride when he flaunts his newfound sense of power when Mr.Lindner, one of the Younger’s soon-to-be neighbors, offers him an unjust deal. Now that Walter has control over the family 's money, he considers himself the head of the family and decision maker; this plays an important role towards how Walter treats others now that he holds himself to a higher standard. This theme applies to Walter when the chairman of the “welcoming committee” (115) named Mr.Lindner pays a visit to the family a couple weeks before they 're supposed to move into their new home in Clybourne Park. During this visit, Mr.Lindner makes the offer of the Clybourne Park community “buy[ing] the house from [them] at a financial gain to [the] family” (118). Mr.Lindner’s offer represents the racial oppression and how the white community looks down upon and doesn’t want African american people dirtying their communities.

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816 Words | 4 Pages

A Raisin in the Sun addresses major social issues such as racism and feminism which were common in the twentieth century. The author, Lorraine Hansberry, was the first playwright to produce a play that portrayed problematic social issues. Racism and gender equality are heavily addressed throughout the play. Even though we still have these issues today, in the 1950’s and 60’s the issues had a greater part in society. Racism and gender have always been an issue in society, A Raisin in the Sun is an important piece of American history during that time period.

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Reader Response: 3 “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, is a play about a black families experience in 1950s South Side Chicago. The story revolves around what happens to the family when Lena Younger, the matriarch of the family, receives a ten thousand dollar life insurance check upon the death of her husband. Everyone from the family has different plans for what they want to do with the money. Lena Younger serves as the head of the family. She is Walter and Beneatha’s caring mother so they and Ruth call her Mama.

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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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Walter was introduced as a man who cared about nothing other than his business. He had sacrificed his sister’s dream of becoming a doctor, and held the power to wipe out Mama’s dream for a better home. Walter sees the gender roles as boundaries keeping him from loosening up to his family. He is given the insight that men must be powerful, wealthy, and demanding for them to truly be the head of the household. However, Walter sees past these gender roles, and not only challenges these rigid roles, but he also regains his family’s trust along the

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