A Raisin in the Sun blog #2

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

There is clear separation between generations in A Raisin in the Sun. Most evidently seen between Walter and Mama, there generation gap causes a lack of understanding between the two. Mama does not understand why Walter cannot be content with the life he currently has. To Mama, having rights and being free is already enough to be happy about, therefore she cannot comprehend why Walter is so set on being financially successful. Mama explains to Walter, "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..."(Hansberry, 74). Back when Mama was Walter's age, life was all about being equal and being free. Now that she has gained those rights, she does not see why anybody needs anything more, but Mama is not realizing the change in generation. In the 1950's, black men and women were able to make something of themselves and could become successful. Walter is aware that colored people now have the opportunity to make something of themselves, therefore, he is determined to do so. He doesn't understand why Mama is so keen to turn him down when he is trying to follow his dreams. He doesn't realize that Mama can't see anything being more important or prominent than having freedom. She believes that if a person has freedom, then they should be happy regardless of other struggles, therefore, she has a hard time relating to her son's current unhappiness.