Raisin In The Sun

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Raisin in the Sun

Introduction

“Raisin in the Sun” is a theatrical play that was written and directed by Lorraine Hansberry. The play was first presented for performance in the theaters on March 11, 1959. It revolves around the experiences and struggles of a black family, in a Clybourne Park, where they are trying to improve themselves and their lives, with the help of an insurance payout plan, which has been given to them after the death of their father. The Clybourne Park has been adapted as a functionalized form of the Washington Park Subdivision of the Chicago’s Woodlawn Neighborhood. The play was also named as the best play of the year 1959 by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle.

Discussion

Plot

The play starts with the death of Walter and Beneatha’s father, as a result of which, their mother, Mama (Lena) is going to receive a check of $10000. Walter watches it as an opportunity to fulfill his dreams, whereas Beneatha thinks that it should be mama’s call how to spend this money. Mama divides this amount into two parts and passes on one part to Walter to invest it for the education of his sister Beneatha. Walter wastes it, and both the siblings are deprived of their dreams. On the other hand, Karl Lindner, presents a generous offer to Mama, to buy their home, to avoid inter-racial conflicts in the neighborhood.

Beneatha becomes greatly depressed by the loss of the money, but she is backed up by her friend, Joseph, that she is showing a hugely materialistic approach. She accepts his approach and finally starts watching things from his point of view. Beneatha starts believing that things will eventually get better and she will be able to achieve her dreams.

Beneatha Younger:

Beneatha Younger, often nicknamed as “Bennie," is Walter Lee's Younger sister. She is a twenty-year-old passionate college student with the dream of becoming a successful doctor one day. In fact, she is the most educated member of the Younger family. She has got beautiful and intellectual looks along with rational thinking of her own. Beneatha holds modern views on gender but is also very proud of her African roots. She has strong views over religion, racial assimilation, and feminism and never hesitates to argue on them with her Mama, brother (Walter) or any other person. Beneatha thinks that women should have the right to speak up for themselves and express their opinion. Her way of talking and the accent is visibly different from the rest of the family, all thanks to her education and exposure.

Her courage is clearly visible when she stands in front of her brother when he questions her decision of becoming a doctor. Beneatha states her opinion in the following words:

"Well – you finally got it said . . . It took you three years, but you finally got it said.”

The strength of her opinion is also shown by the following words when she openly comments in front of her family

“Everybody talking 'bout heaven ain't going there!”

Although Beneatha is a strong girl and she supports independence and freedom; still she is a family person and always needs support from her family. She loves her mama dearly and values her opinion a lot.

Conclusion

The character of Beneatha stands an inspiration for many girls, who want to achieve their dreams and are not afraid of anything in order to do so. Beneatha poses as a strong, free-willed girl who thinks that nothing is impossible, but at the same time, she does not forget her roots and never leaves her family, remaining true to her origin.