Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, the Younger family encounters several fates that are beyond their control. They are oftentimes embraced with racism, financial instability, and stereotypes, among a host of other issues. Regardless of the hardships that the family faced, the Younger's display a desire to defy the odds through their actions.
Through the actions of Walter Younger, readers gain insight on the family’s intent of thwarting poverty. Walter is portrayed as a persistent man who is not afraid to oppose his family’s beliefs or opinions. He has a vision of getting the Younger’s out of poverty by using his father’s insurance check to invest in a liquor store. He fears that he and his family is at an unfair advantage due to uncontrollable factors. Walter says, “Sometimes… I pass… restaurants where them white boys are sitting back… turning deals worth millions of dollars…” (74). He feels that his family is capable of replicating success that white families have.
Beneatha attempts to defy odds by becoming a doctor after graduating from school. Her dreams often manifest doubt through other characters, including her brother, Walter Lee. As a family, it is implied that siblings would support each other’s actions. During a misunderstanding, Walter questions, “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) Beneatha hopes to elude such comments of doubt by achieving what no other women usually achieves.
The Younger’s have goals both as a family and as individuals. In spite of all of the hardships they face, each member wants to overcome poverty by defying common odds that are placed against them.
Mama is also trying to get out of poverty. Her dream is to move out of the small crammed apartment and to move into a house. She wants to get out of the small, poor place and live in a nicer home/area. It is against the common odds for the Youngers to do so but in Mama’s words, “… we could meet the notes… if… everybody kind of pitch in.” (44).
ReplyDeleteThe Younger family is fighting against impossible odds to escape poverty, and one cannot help but to hope for the underdog's success. Their goal is not to become rich, but to become normal (or whatever their view of normal is). They fight poverty, stereotypes and to reach middle class society in a house and out of an apartment.
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