A Raisin In The Sun Poverty Essay
Lorraine Hansberry’s stage play “A Raisin in the Sun” explores the theme of poverty and its impact on African-American families in the 1950s. Despite being set over half a century ago, the play’s depiction of poverty remains relevant in today’s society. Many individuals and families, especially in the Black community, continue to struggle with poverty and economic inequality. The lessons from A Raisin in the Sun serve as a reminder that addressing poverty remains an ongoing challenge. This essay will explore how poverty is represented in the play and how poverty is today for Black people in the United States.
Walter Lee Younger is a working-class man who dreams of making a better life for himself and his family. Walter’s poverty is evident in his struggle to provide for his wife and son, as well as his desperation to receive his father’s life insurance money. Walter says, “Do you know what this money means to me? Do you know what this money can do for us? Mama, Mama, I want so many things.” This shows how Walter’s ability to
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The family’s poverty is also seen in their lack of access to basic necessities like adequate food, clothing, and healthcare. Mama, the family’s matriarch, says, “So now it's life. Money is life. Once upon a time, freedom used to be life; now it's money. I guess the world really do change...”
The play also highlights the impact of poverty on education. Walter’s sister, Beneatha, dreams of becoming a doctor, but her aspirations are hindered by her family’s financial struggles. In reference to the family’s money, Beneatha says, “While I was sleeping in that bed in there, people went out and took the future right out of my hands! And nobody asked me, nobody consulted me. They just went out and changed my life!” Beneatha’s need for the money so she can get an education and be successful in America shows that poverty can limit opportunities for individuals and hinder their ability to achieve their full
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