Journeys
The play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorrain Hansberry focuss on an African-American family living in an apartment barely making ends meet. Psychological and spiritual journeys are shown largely in two of the main characters lives. A psychological journey is defined as movement within the mind of an individual that results in a change in behavior. A spiritual journey is a movement within an individual that results in a change in his or her essential nature. Beneatha Younger changes psychologically throughout the play by changing from a nosey and in some respects, annoying person, into a more mature and knowledgeable person. Walter Younger changes both psychologically and spiritually, one because he stops acting like a complete moron and the other because he finally comes into his manhood. These characters go through are long and painful journeys which result in dramatic changes for the better.
Beneatha starts the play as a self-absorbed individual who thinks everything revolves around her and that everything she says is right. She is about twenty, as slim and intense as her brother. She is not as pretty as her sister in law, but her lean, almost intellectual face has a handsomeness of its own (Hansberry 35). Throughout the play she makes her way into arguments with her friends and family. Mama brings up God and Beneatha starts an argument that could easily be avoided. Mama, you dont understand. Its all a matter of ideas, and God is just one idea I dont accept (50). Even though Beneatha doesnt believe in God, she doesnt have to flaunt it at her religiously engrossed mother. She knew it would cause an argument and thats why she did it. Is almost as if everything she says is meant to entice someone. All along she was trying to provoke everyone into her little games. I just want to learn to play the guitar. Is there anything wrong with that? (47) She also seemed incredibly nosey, asking Ruth if she became pregnant on purpose or by accident. She also seemed to have the idea in her head that the world owed it to her to put her through school and make her a doctor. Walter, not being fond of her dreams to be a doctor once asked her about it and she flipped out for no reason. WellI doall right?thank everybody! And forgive me for ever wanting to be anything at all! (37) When Walter lost the money and her dreams were crushed, Asagai brought up a good point that the money was never even hers in the first place. If she really wants to achieve her dreams, she shouldnt be depending on other people. She can achieve her dreams herself and he inspired her in one way she could do that, by going to Africa to become a doctor. When he suggested coming to Africa is when her psychological change took place. After Asagai presented her with this offer she was in thought for a long time. Too many thingstoo many things have happened today. I must sit down and think. I dont know what I feel about anything right this minute (137). After Walter Lee found the courage to stand up for what he believed is right she found it in her heart to forgive her brother. That attitude of the world owes her everything was finally broken. Chances are she will eventually marry Asagai and live in Africa as a doctor, finally fulfilling her dreams. She really doesnt have any reason not to, because her current situation provides little benefit to her dreams.
Walter is a lean, intense young man in his middle thirties, inclined to quick nervous movements and erratic speech habits-and always in his voice there is a quality of indictment (25). Walter is a stubborn guy who is a dreamer and is determined to fulfill those dreams in life. He is willing to give everything he has in life to achieve these dreams. His main dream throughout the play is investing in a liquor store with his friends. His relationship with his wife has been severely damaged. Also, he barely communicates with the rest of his family unless its necessary.
Walter goes through a tremendous psychological change. He who was once chasing after dreams and putting himself before everyone else hits a pivotal point in his life. He planned to invest to eventually become rich. Yeah. You see, this little liquor store we got in mind cost seventy-five thousand and we figured the initial investment be bout thirty thousand, see (33). The down payment was from his deceased fathers insurance money. He gives the money to his friend to invest in the liquor store. His friend runs away and never comes back. Walter put himself in a position where he has ruined not only his own dream but everyone elses as well. The insurance money. My brother gave it away (132). He realizes now that his dream isnt as important as it once was, and that he wants to fix his family.
The spiritual change Walter experiences is a little more deep and meaningful. He changes from being just another person, barely making ends meet, to being a man and the head of his family. When he first lost the money, he was just looking to receive the money back and would compromise dignity and pride to do it. But ultimately his essential nature changed and the spiritual change took place. He realized that the money wasnt everything and that his ancestors didnt go through what they went through for him to belittle himself and his people for some money. Walter said to Lindner And we have decided to move into our house because my father- my father- he earned it for us brick by brick (148). He decided that sacrificing his familys nobility wasnt worth it for any amount of money. Walter had finally grown up and became the head of his household.
The play is about the journey that happens to each character. If Beneatha and Walter wouldnt have endured through the negative experiences to make their changes, then it would diminish the value of their changes. Their struggle is what is meaningful and life changing. These characters handled there problems better then most people would, and underwent a positive change as a result.
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