Raisin In The Sun Segregation

In A Raisin in the Sun, the issues of manhood, urban identity, and racial discrimination are conveyed through Walter Younger’s relationship with the state and Lorraine Hansberry’s portrayal of his experience as an African American male in post-WWII Chicago. Importantly, the housing segregation supported by the government in Chicago plays a central part in A Raisin in the Sun. Walter, along with his family, are living in a cramped, decrepit apartment in a poor black neighborhood in the Southside of Chicago. Throughout the play, Walter’s discontent with the government and the housing industry keeping blacks in the ghetto developed. The government’s neglect of these segregated neighborhoods further agitated the discontent of Walter and his family. …show more content…
“I want so many things that they are driving me kind of crazy,” he says, “…Mama – look at me.” Walter’s character is complex, because his wants and the reasons for those wants are complex. Walter was fixated on the money, seeing it as the ultimate means to getting out of his limiting circumstances and to achieving his American dream. Even though Walter technically became the man of the house after his father died, he came into conflict with his mother, Mama, over how to use the insurance check. Mama, being very religious, was against Walter opening up a liquor store and selling alcohol and instead wanted to use the money to move her family out of their cramped apartment. Walter, due to the burden of Mama encroaching on his dreams and his manhood, became depressed, “Nobody in this house is ever going to understand me.” Walter was frustrated about his place in life and how he still wasn’t able to achieve his dreams. As a big dreamer, his pride and manhood were at stake. Even Walter’s wife, Ruth, noticed that he wanted something more out of life, “something is happening between Walter and me. I don’t know what it is – but he needs something – something I can’t give him anymore.” Along with his dedication to his dreams, Walter was dedicated to providing for his wife and kid. Walter wanted so badly to fully embody the ideal of being a provider as well as being“ the man of the house”. He demonstrates this pride in being the provider, saying to his son, “just tell me where you want to go to school and you’ll go. Just tell me, what it is you want to be – and you’ll be it….Whatever you want to be – Yessir! You just name it, son…and I hand you the world!” Wanting the best for his dreams, he also wanted the best for his family’s dreams. When Walter’s mother finally started to understand Walter’s wants, she changed her mind and decided to let him go for his dream and trusted him with the

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