Living in close proximity with extended family certainly has challenges for all parties, but when three generations live together in a small inner city apartment, the challenges are even greater.

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is an outstanding drama that is representative of American culture in the 1960's. This drama represents the lives of an African-American family striving to make their lives better not only for themselves but future generations.

This drama illustrates the importance of family relationships: Grandparent to grandchild; mother to son; mother to daughter; husband to wife; mother-in-law to daughter-in-law; as well as sister to brother. Although many of these relationships are strained at times in the play, the theme of family rejoices and unites in the end. This message about family is part of what makes A Raisin in the Sun an American classic.

The matriarch of the family is Mama. Her husband has died and the central conflict of the play originates from decisions about what to do with the life insurance money. The money becomes an embodiment of the patriarch of the family, so it is important that the family makes wise decisions about the money and where it should be invested.

Her son Walter and his wife Ruth also live in the apartment. This couple is still in the process of finding their way through most of the play. They are often at odds about the important decisions as well as raiding their son. Ruth is most concerned with providing her son and her unborn child with the best possible upbringing. Walter is still stuck on his own dreams and bitter about the turns his life has taken.

Throw into the mix Walter's spoiled sister Beneatha, who is often at odds with the rest of the family because she is a modern young woman. She has independent thoughts and dreams that go beyond the family. At times these dreams appear to be selfish in comparison to the other members of the family, but at the same time there is the underlying belief that she loves her family despite any lack of sophistication that she perceives in them.

As the family struggles with living an apartment that does not meet their needs, they also must struggles with their individual priorities. Through all of these difficulties, Mama is the one who holds the family together. When the tensions of the place reach the climax, she steps forward and makes decisions that are in the best interest of the family. She buying the best house that she can afford in a white suburban neighborhood. Despite the difficulties that this move may provide, she is determined to do the best she can for her entire family.

At its lowest moments, Ruth considers not having her unborn child and Walter squanders a large portion of his family's inheritance. When it reaches this point, the tension in the play and the family itself appears about to burst into a million pieces. Instead, this is when the family rallies around each other. They realize that dreams are fine, but without family the dreams become meaningless.

The play ends with the belief that Mama and her family will move on to new opportunities in their new neighborhood. Not everything would probably be perfect along the way, but as a family, they will face those challenges together.

Learn more about this author, MJ Suttor.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The importance of family in A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry?
We want to hear your view. Write now!