A Raisin in the Sun
By: Lorraine Hansberry
“Once upon a time freedom used to be life-now its money. I
guess the world really do change (475).” In Mama’s brief anecdote, the gravity
of the plot and circumstances of the family become more visible. No longer is
there playful teasing, but serious arguing. In the beginning of the scene, the
family is working together as one unit to complete chores and together they
open the check and admire it with awe. Yet, the money slowly draws out and
presents negativity and conflict within the family as love, wants, and dreams
clash.
Through Mama’s anecdote about the past, the idea of money as
life is presented illustrating and characterizing the changes of times as well
as Mama herself. The anecdote
illustrates the separation of generations by values and communication as Mama
struggles to understand the family’s focus and sacrifice for money when only
generations before the family had focused and sacrificed for freedom. This
change in times becomes a central aspect of the play as Hansberry dramatizes and
challenges the new social values. Hansberry warns against the pressures money
can impose as Mama tells Walter about Ruth’s pregnancy and warns him that Ruth
might try to rid herself of the baby to protect the family from financial
burden. The burden of money additionally
influences the power and success of dreams as finances begin to limit and
replace the freedom to hope. As illustrated by the characters once the
insurance money arrived, dreams can be inhibited by financial concerns and
thoughts as such limit the size of one’s dream and the achievability of the
dream. From a story of the past, can come details of the future.
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