A Raisin In The Sun Dream Analysis

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Mama, Walter, and the Dream

In the play “A Raisin in the Sun” written by Lorraine Hansberry, there are two main characters that set the plot for this story. The main plot right now is the argument between Walter and Mama. Mama is a caring woman who always looks out for the ones that she loves. But her looking out for her family starts to cause a problem with Walter. Walter is Mama’s son who complains about everything and is very self-centered. This story took place around World War II in Chicago Southside and segregation was big. Around this time Mama had inherited $10,000 from her late husband, but Walter wants this money to invest in his liquor store. But since it is Mama’s money she used it to buy a house for her grandson which is in
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He was really looking forward to having the money to invest in his liquor store. Once Walter found out Mama had used the money to buy the new house he became upset and walked away as everyone else was so happy. Mama tried to talk to him but he said “What do you need me to say you done right for? You the head of this family. You run out lives like you want to. It is your money and you did what you wanted with it. So what you need for me to say it was all right for? So you butchered up a dream of mine-you-who always talking ‘bout your children’s dreams…” which shows that Walter is upset with Mama and says he “butchered up” a dream of his. Walter did not handle this situation with a good manner. From the beginning, before they even had the money Walter had started to make plans of what he was going to do with it. Beneatha knew it was not right for him to do that so she told him “That money belongs to Mama, Walter, and it’s for her to decide how she wants to use it. I don’t care if she wants to buy a house or a rocket ship or just nail it up somewhere and look at it. It’s hers. Not ours-hers.” So Bennie is standing up for Mama because Walter wants the money all to himself which is very selfish. Walter does not understand the difference between Mama’s use of the money and his. Walter wants to invest in this store to make more money for the family so they do not have to live the way they are anymore, but what he does not realize is that Mama already has that money and is taking care of the situation. They will no longer have to live in that apartment because they can afford a house. If Walter had used that money the family would have to live in that apartment even longer. Sometimes Walter just need to think before he tries to make everything an