A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun Prompt #2 In the play A Raisin in the sun by Lorraine Hansbury, a family faced a very uncompromisable situation that led them to experience hard times and difficulty. The author developed each character to represent a different generation; in the play, each generation has its own idea about using the insurance money to achieve their dreams. Mamas old fashioned generation, Walters and Beneathas new generation, and Travis’ uprising generation all affect their overall perspectives in life because all generations have different meanings to what a dream is and not all generations see the good side of every desire because there is a significant generation gap. Mama Lena is a wise, nurturing, and old fashioned woman. She has a dream of buying a house in a quiet, calming, and collected suburban area where she and her family could all live and be happy. “Well, I always wanted me a garden like I used to see sometimes at the back of the houses down home. This plant is close as I ever got to having one. (She looks out of the window as she replaces the plant) Lord, ain’t nothing as dreary as the view from this window on a dreary day, is there?” (1.1.296) Because of her old-fashioned ways, Mama Lena is greatly influenced by her generation to not perceive life as a big dream. Her dreams are rather simple and are affected by the generation she is a part of. “It ain’t much, but it’s all I got in the world and I’m putting it in your hands. I’m telling you to be the head of this family from now on like you supposed to be” (2.2.113) Mama tells Walter that he could take charge of the family’s direction and this shows that Lena is definitely old fashioned in her view of gender roles when she asked Walter to be the head of the family. “Yes, a fine man – just couldn’t never catch up with his dreams, that’s all.” (1.1.208) Lena feels guilty that he hasn't let Walter take his place as the "man” however she still does not understand why he must achieve his liquor