The Changes in Our Lives - A Raisin in the Sun by Lorain Hansberry

The changes in our lives now, make us stronger and better people in the future. The play, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorain Hansberry is about a poor African-American family that receives an insurants check for ten thousand dollars for the death of a grandfather, father and, husband, this check bring a struggle over the control of this tiny household. In the play, Walter Lee Younger and Lena (Mama) Younger change, as the play unfolds.

Walter Lee Younger is a selfish man. For example, when Walter is talking to his wife Ruth, about what they should do with the insurants check, he says "Yeah. You see, this little liquor store we got in mind cost seventy-five thousand and we figured the initial investment on the place be 'bout thirty thousand, see" (33). By Walter making this statement he shows his selfish nature by only thinking of money and the very distant future of his enterprise. His statement of just the initial cost of the shop shows that he is not thinking of his family, he is only thinking of himself. In addition, when Lena (Mama) Younger talks to Walter and gives him the remaining money she has with instructions to divide it between him and Beneatha, Walter is told by Bobo, "What's the matter with you, Walter! When a cat take off with your money he don't leave you no road maps!"(128). The statement by Bobo makes Walter look like a selfish little brat because he didn't follow the instructions his mother had left him he was suppose to divide the money up and share it with the rest of the family. Now all of the money is gone and there is little hope that the family will be able to move it to the house that Mama Younger had bought for the family. As a result of Walters's selfishness the family has little hope of being able to move on in the future.

Lena Younger is a controlling woman. For instance, when Lena Younger (Mama) comes home from running some errands she talks to Travis and tells him "[Grandma] went out and she bought you a house" (91). Grandma, without telling everyone when out and put a down payment on a house that the family, as a hole, did not talk about. She controlled the families' fate by spending the money as she pleased. In addition, when Beneatha was not the most hospitable to Mis' Johnson, Mama Younger Says "I'm old and corrupted. You was rude to Mis'Johnson, Beneatha, and I don't like it at all" (104). Mama Younger displays her power over her daughter by scolding her over a very small thing. Mama Younger controllers the situation with one simple statement. As a result of Lena (Mama) Younger's controlling attitude the family looks to her rather than to Walter for guidance and instructions.

Walter Younger and Lena (Mama) Younger Change for the better. For example, when Walter calls Mr. Linder with the intentions of selling the house Walter ends up saying, "We have all thought about your offer and we have decided to move into our house because my father he earned it for us brick by brick... "(148) This statement shocked everyone in the house. Walter had finial taken the ropes out of Lena (Mama) Younger's hands just like he was supposed to do a long time ago. In addition to this when Walter is taking to Mr. Lindner, "Mama has here eyes closed and is rocking back and forth as though she were in church with her head nodding the Amen yes"(148) this stage direction represent Lena (Mama) Younger transforming into a submissive part of the family. As a result of this change both characters have grown together and changed for the betterment of all of the members of the family.

In conclusion, Lena Younger and Walter Lee Younger change from the opening seen to the final certain. Lena Younger becomes more submissive and less controlling wile Walter Lee Younger become more selfless and less selfish. Through there transformations they grow closer together. As readers we can learn that what happens to use in life will build who we are to be in the future. All we have to do is to decide what to do with the experience we have gained.