A Raisin in the Sun

Setting

1950s- Southside Chicago

Symbolism

Mama's plant represents both Mama's care and her dream for her family. She confesses that the plant never gets enough light or water, but she takes pride in how it nevertheless flourishes under her care. Her care for her plant is similar to her care for her children, unconditional and unending despite a less-than-perfect environment for growth. The plant also symbolizes her dream to own a house and, more specifically, to have a garden and a yard. With her plant, she practices her gardening skills. Her success with the plant helps her believe that she would be successful as a gardener. Her persistence and dedication to the plant fosters her hope that her dream may come true.

Theme

The Value and Purpose of Dreams Essentially about dreams, as the main characters struggle to deal with the oppressive circumstances that rule their lives. He wonders whether those dreams shrivel up "like a raisin in the sun." Every member of the Younger family has a separate, individual dream and struggle to attain these dreams throughout the play, and much of their happiness and depression is directly related to their attainment of, or failure to attain, these dreams. By the end of the play, they learn that the dream of a house is the most important dream because it unites the family.

Plot Summary

The Youngers are about to receive an insurance check for $10,000 from the deceased Mr. Younger's life insurance policy. Mama wants to buy a house to fulfill a dream she shared with her husband. Walter Lee would rather use the money to invest in a liquor store with his friends. He believes that the investment will solve the family's financial problems forever. Walter's wife, Ruth, agrees with Mama and hopes that she and Walter can provide more space and opportunity for their son, Travis. Beneatha, Walter's sister, wants to use the money for her medical school tuition. She also wishes that her family members were not so interested in joining the white world. Beneatha instead tries to find her identity by looking back to the past and to Africa. The Youngers clash over their competing dreams. Ruth discovers that she is pregnant but fears that if she has the child, she will put more financial pressure on her family members. Mama puts a down payment on a house for the whole family. This house is in Clybourne Park, an entirely white neighborhood. Mr. Lindner, from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, offers the Youngers money in return for staying away. The Youngers refuse the deal, even after Walter loses the rest of the money ($6,500) to his friend Willy Harris, who persuades Walter to invest in the liquor store and then runs off with his cash. In the meantime, Beneatha receives a marriage proposal from her Nigerian boyfriend, Joseph Asagai, who wants Beneatha to get a medical degree and move to Africa with him. The Youngers eventually move out of the apartment, fulfilling the family's long-held dream. Their future seems uncertain and slightly dangerous, but they are optimistic and determined to live a better life. They believe that they can succeed if they stick together as a family and resolve to defer their dreams no longer.

Characters

Walter Lee Younger- Wants to use his father's life insurance money to open a liquor store. He believes that he should get the money and spends the etire play trying to convince his family to see it his way. Beneatha Younger- Walter's sister, and wants to use the money to go to med school. Some of her personal beliefs and views have distanced her from conservative Mama. She dreams of being a doctor and struggles to determine her identity as a well-educated black woman. Lena Younger ("Mama") - Walter and Beneatha's mother. Mama is religious, moral, and maternal. She wants to use her husband's insurance money as a down payment on a house with a backyard to fulfill her dream for her family to move up in the world. Ruth Younger - Walter's wife and Travis's mother. Ruth takes care of the Youngers' small apartment. Her marriage to Walter has problems, but she hopes to rekindle their love. Constantly fighting poverty and domestic troubles, she continues to be an emotionally strong woman. Mr. Karl Lindner - The only white character in the play. Mr. Lindner arrives at the Youngers' apartment from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association. He offers the Youngers a deal to reconsider moving into his (all-white) neighborhood.

Climax

Walter loses the money, because Willy has scammed them and run off with all their money.