The Younger Family in A Raisin In The Sun Essay

The Younger family is an average African American family trying to live a spectacular life. Mama simply wants a happy family and is willing to do whatever it takes for that to happen. Ruth is a hard worker and a loving wife. She cooks and cleans in order to keep her family satisfied. Walter, the husband has a dream to open a liquor store and waits for Mama to get her insurance check. Beneathas dream is to be a doctor and is willing to do whatever it takes to become one. They set these goals in order to try and fit into society, but these slowly come to a downfall. Dreams and values are tested in the Younger family when money causes turbulence, dreams are crushed, and new dreams are realized.

When money causes turbulence in the family, they are forced to result to a backup plan to help them through. When Mama trusts Walter with the rest of the insurance money he takes that trust and throws it out the window. Walter decides to invest all the money into the liquor store that he wanted. Mama specifically told him to put three thousand dollars into an account for Beneathas medical schooling and the rest into his checking account. When Bobo comes to Walters house with the bad news that Willy skipped town with their money Mama was furious, Beneatha was in dismal and was steamily furious. When Beneatha and Asagai were talking she stated

No-I wanted to cure. It used to be so important to me.

I wanted to cure. It used to matter. I used to care. I

mean about people and how their bodies hurt (Hansberry 105)

Aside from all of that commotion, in the beginning of the play the Younger family was not very wealthy. They all lived in a one-bedroom apartment, where they had to build an extra room. They share one bathroom with the rest of the families on the floor. Ruth is pregnant and Travis, the youngest child, sleeps on the couch. This causes stress on the family.

Each member of the Younger family had a specific dream that they wanted to put into action. On the way of so-called achieving theses dreams there were things that happened that crushed them. The dreams that contributed most towards the play were Beneathas, Mamas, and Walters. Beneathas dream was to become a doctor. This was improbable because not many women were doctors, not to mention she is African American. But that didnt stop her; she planned to go to Nigeria with Asagai for medical school, which costs money. This dream didnt work out to well since Walter invested all the money that Mama gave him into the liquor store. He wanted to open a liquor store with Bobo and Willy because he wanted a real job. When Bobo came to tell him that Willy skipped town with the money Walter was in utter denial. Beneatha and Mama were furious along with Ruth. Beneatha needed that money in order to attend medical school, and without it she wont be able to go. When Asagai came to visit Beneatha and talk to her about the school she explained everything. Mamas dream was to buy a neighborly home for the family so they can live happier. When the welcoming committee came and talked to the family things started to change. Lindor, president of the welcoming committee, came and told the family that they should move elsewhere. According to the committee they feel that they shouldnt be living there. Lindor remarked I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesnt enter into it. Its a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities. (Hansberry 90-91) After Mama heard this she gave up and decided not to move. As these dreams were plummeting they all found little things that helped them realize new dreams.

The Younger family hasnt exactly been living the life; they have had some ups and some downs. But during those ups and downs they have all came together to realize a new dream. This dream was simple and would please the whole family. They have all come to realize that they needed each other to be happy, not the shiny things in life. They didnt let anyone put them down or get in the way of their dreams, they took the risk and they decided to move into the house and live happily. All in all Beneatha moves to Africa with Asagai where they got married, and the rest of the family moved into the house and were very happy.

In conclusion, the Younger family bickered over the insurance money check. Walter wanted it the most for his liquor store, but Mama wanted a house for her and her family. As the play went on they all lost something and gained something but in the end they all came to realize one thing. Dreams and values are tested in the Younger family when money causes turbulence, dreams are crushed, and new dreams are realized.