A Raisin in the Sun Blog #3

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

There are three major separations between members of the Younger family that greatly influence their levels of happiness and success. Found in the family is a person who makes things happen, a person who watches things happen, and a person who wonders what happen. Beneatha is going to school to be a doctor, frequently takes part in new experiences and strives to make a life for herself. Due to her motivated and ambitious attitude, Beneatha is the Younger who most makes things happen. While speaking to her brother, Beneatha remarks sarcastically, "And forgive me for ever wanting to be anything at all!"(Hansberry, 37). Beneatha is teased for trying to be a doctor, something most black women could not achieve at that time, but none the less, Beneatha was going to do it because she made things happen. Observing the families daily chaos is the leader of the house, Mama. Although Mama attempts to put in her input and advice, she mostly is just a bystander admits the commotion. At times such as when Ruth announces she is pregnant or when Walter burst out due to his unfulfilled life, Mama is always there watching the action go down. Lastly, it is Travis who wonders what happens. Most of the chaos happens without his knowledge and he is constantly kept out of the loop. Early in the play, this can be seen when Ruth rejects giving Travis money, but then Walter gives it to him anyway in order to bury the truth about the families money problems.