Theme: Romantic Complications

Throughout the novel, the romantic relationships between major characters serve as a central theme. Each protagonist who is part of a relationship suffers a conflict because of it.

The first scene shows the reader how strained the relationship is between Ruth and Walter Lee. The two immediately start bickering once they're awake and reminisce on how their relationship used to be--before it became the deteriorated version it is now. "Just for second it was - - you looked real young again," Walter states in the morning while Ruth is stirring eggs. "It's gone now - - you look like yourself again!" (27) Through this statement, Walter demonstrates that their relationship is not what it once was, foreshadowing the bigger problems that are to come for the couple.

Another relationship that complicates matters is the one between Mama and Big Walter Lee. Though the latter is no longer living, this relationship still has a big impact on the events of the novel. Mama talks of Walter as of he is still alive, and remembers him fondly. "I remember just as well the day me and Big Walter moved in here." (44). She even bases some of her decisions off of what she thinks he would have done--this relationship definitely impacts the plot.

Finally, the relationship between Beneatha and Asagai creates its own form of drama. The two have little fights that touch on big issues like cultural appropriation and sexism. "I am not an assimilationist!" protests Beneatha in response to one of Asagai's remarks (63). Just like the other couples in this novel, Beneatha and Asagai have plenty of problems that they must solve, or sacrifice the relationship.

All of the relationships in the novel are strained in some way, and this strain feeds the fuel of the major conflicts in the story.
 

Underlying Theme in A Raisin in the Sun

When analyzing A Raisin in the Sun, it is rather difficult to decipher a single, clear-cut theme that Lorraine Hansberry incorporates into the lives of the Younger family. Family, racial discrimination, and big dreams all seem to be reoccurring matters throughout the play. When all aspects are considered, though, there is an underlying theme in this piece of literature. This is the idea that money is the root of all evil.
The frequent use of money proves to be an essential piece to the plot's puzzle. Money is prevalent from early on in the play and is brought into existence a surfeit amount of times. In the early stages of A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry allows readers to infer that Walter intends to use the insurance check to invest in his liquor store. "You mean that liquor store that Willy Harris want him to invest in?" (42). This causes friction between the Youngers, and can, in time, lead to the downfall of Walter and his struggling family. Not only does money have a negative effect on the household here, but it also seems to cause conflict when Travis asks for fifty cents for school. Although Ruth tells Travis that they can not afford it, Walter pridefully offers to give him money. The conflicting interests of the couple foreshadows that they will have a rocky relationship throughout the play. When Mr. Lindner offers to give the Youngers a bribe in return for their Clybourne Park residence, the family has split feelings, and Walter is in favor of it. This disagreement has the power to rupture the relationship the Youngers have with each other.
Hansberry makes the use of money a crucial factor in A Raisin in the Sun. This intrinsic reappearance is a significant theme in the play's duration.
   

Desire to Defy the Odds

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.

A Parent’s Desire for His/Her Child

Beneatha Younger does not seem to care about money. She “flits” from one expensive hobby to another (47). Unlike the other members of the family, she seems to have no limits, although the money spent on her horseback riding, camera equipment, acting lessons, and guitar lessons could be used for more financially relevant things. This could be why Walter Lee is so frustrated by her desire to go to medical school. He feels as though he and Ruth have sacrificed enough and it should be his turn to get a shot at his dream. He is frustrated with the fact that Mama is so willing to fulfill Beneatha’s wishes yet so resistant to support his.

Mama’s willingness to fulfill her daughter’s requests, is the same way Walter treats Travis. When Travis asks for money, Walter gives it to him. When Beneatha decides she wants to take up another hobby, Mama barely resists. Like any parent, she just wants to see her daughter succeed and have a better life than she has. She already gave “up one baby to poverty and [she] ain’t going to give up nary another one” (75). Walter has already been given up to poverty but Beneatha still has a chance. She has the chance to get the education they never had and succeed in a way they never have. Same with Travis, he has the chance to get the education they never had and succeed in a way they never have. That’s why Walter fanaticizes about Travis “sitting on the floor with the catalogues of all the great schools in America around [him]” (109). He wants to pave the way for his son’s success. But, he cannot seem to find a way to do it without that ten thousand dollars.

Mighty Mama

OH MAMA! She really is the heart and soul of the Younger’s family. Things were getting out of hand so she flexed her muscles and showed off her characterized traits of being a strong woman and the leader of the family.

“I just seen my family falling apart today… When it gets like that in life –you just got to do something different, push on out and do something bigger…” (94). Lena bought a house. She was upset and furious with the cluster at home and wanted to make a change, just like how a coach will change things up to try and help his losing team. Mama is just trying to guide her family in a better direction and took charge. Her purchasing the house without consent of the others shows her authority. Just like that, she can add a dynamic change to the story and setting with just a simple, yet grand action.

“Walter Lee—it makes a difference in a man when he can walk on floors that belong to him.” (92). In theory, the newly owned house will hypothetically improve Walter’s behavior and perspective on things; one of the main reasons why Mama bought the house was to, hopefully, straighten up Walter and make him start acting like a man. She is switching the location of her team in hopes that a better environment for her team will cause them to have a better season.

Although Mama is no doubt the Alpha Dog of this pack, she also is the most loving and caring character. She is mighty like Superman, but just like Superman, she has a soft spot, a weakness. “So you butchered up a dream of mine—you—who always talking ‘bout your children’s dream…” (95). Her son’s disappointment and crushed dream really gets to her and makes her think heavily, it is her kryptonite. She wanted to make a change and she did, but she lost a part of her son in doing so.

Walter as a Dynamic Character

The Younger Family has faced many challenges in this play and many of the characters respond to these challenges in different ways. Walter Lee is a dynamic character who changes several times throughout this story as a result from the conflicts.

            When we first meet Walter he is very ambitious and wants more out of his life. He says, “I got me a dream” (pg 33) and he is motivated to change his life and achieve his dream. He was hopeful that his dream could become reality and he showed this when he begged his family for the money for a liquor store. He was almost naïve in a sense to think that Mama would use the money for that reason.

            Walters first change in character came when Mama crushed his dreams and he found out his wife was pregnant again. He was shocked and did not know what to do or say. He became a mess going out and getting drunk and missing work. Walter could not handle the situation. He went from hopeful to hopeless and was drudging around feeling sorry for himself.

            His outlook on life changed again when Mama gave him some money from the check and told him, “I’m telling you to be the head of this family from now on like you supposed to be” (pg 107).  From that moment on Walter became more responsible and loving taking on a greater leadership position in the family. This change was evident right away as his dreams returned while talking to Travis about driving a, “plain black Chrysler” (pg 108).  He also stepped up when Karl Lindner first came to their house talking about business. Walters change in his view of life proves that he is a dynamic character. 

Anakin Skywalker: one of the greatest Dynamic characters of all time. 

Act II, scene ii

The conversation that Beneatha and George have when they get back from their date is a further explanation of Beneatha's division from the white culture of the time period. Their conversation show Beneatha's and George's very different values when it comes to education. This is the first moment where a division is sensed between the two. Beneatha sees education as  way to love yourself and be proud. George sees education as a way to get money and impress people with what you have. Beneatha wants to educate society through knowledge of herself and her culture, however, George wants education to earn money so he can be judged by his economic status. Beneatha sees how George has no problem giving up his culture to give in to white culture so she kicks him out, describing him as a "fool".
Beneatha and her mother's use of the word "fool" shows and allusion to Booker T. Washington and his role in the division of black and white culture. Mama calls Washington a "fool" when talking to Mrs. Johnson. The same word is also used by Beneatha to describe George when he kicks her out. Using the same word to describe both of them shows a connection between the two. Washington was historically a hero to many in the black community while he assimilation to America at the time. By the 1950s, may African-Americans had turned against him and his ideas. They saw his idea of "mainstream America" as "white America". The African-Americans of the time were not ready to give up their culture for white people.

                                                                Booker T. Washington