by Reacy

Created on: May 22, 2009

Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun the characters portray a sense of unwavering togetherness which is often times buried beneath harsh comments and dreadful truths. But through all the harsh times that the family endures, love appears to conquer all. There is a small window in the kitchen of the Younger household that gives the only sunlight for the main living quarters of the house. In front of this window is a small plant that has seen the family come through good times and tolerate appalling times. A plant is a living, breathing organism needing water, food and sunlight to thrive and produce. When a plant is starved of nutrients it can begin to wither and disintegrate. The process of death can be brisk and immediate. There can also be a type of death lurking in the roots unseen by the physical eyes, but felt by the leaves that are extended from it. Can this plant be saved? Perhaps brought back to life? To prune a plant means to cut off or to remove the dead leaves to promote healthy growth. The measure of a man is deciding how to distinguish between what to let go of and what to continue; what is most important to his family and what is killing his family.

The playwright begins to reveal her character through describing the living conditions in which the Younger family live comfortable living room and typical well-worn furniture. Her character begins to come more alive as Mama Younger tells her son Walter, that she is waiting to hear how he is his father's son waiting to hear her son talk like his father and say we are a people who give children life, not who destroys them.

There is a poignant sentiment that Hansberry depicts of how family life can come together and love one another through heartbreak. Walter Lee is a powerful force within the family; quick to voice his opinion and views. His actions are of a man who is bitter about life and perhaps some of the choices he has made in his life. Walter Lee begins to make known through small ways that he is in fact terrified of the unknown future. Although he may be uneasy about where his future lies; he is passionate about pressing forward in failed business deals. He is convinced that this particular one will eventually lead him to become a wealthy man.

Walter Lee's wife Ruth appears to be a constant believer in him. She is quite strong in body but weary in mind and soul. Her actions of entertaining the idea of aborting their child to possibly save her marriage are unspeakable and sacrificing. She and Mama Youngerhave a special bond of loving the same man through and in spite of his pain. She is so understatedly powerful when she asks her husband, What else can I give you, Walter Lee Younger as she attempts to serve him warm milk.

In an abundance of ways Hansberry's play is universal in the truth of fighting for the sake of family to stay together coupled with the concerns of the welfare of the family and making sacrifices for the better of the community. In a lot of ways this play based in the year of 1959 is very relevant to life in the present. Most Americans desire to raise their families in a clean and decent neighborhood, free from violence. What happens to a dream delayed; the dream can be fulfilled through the children that are produced. But also the dream can be birthed through the dreamer, if they never stop dreaming, hoping, living and loving.

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