A Raisin In The Sun; Act III

"What I am telling you is that we called you over here to tell you that we are very proud and that this - ...Travis, come here...This is my son, and he makes the sixth generation our family in this country." - Walter, page 148.

For this blog, I am going to answer a question from the list of study questions.

Discuss a character from Raisin who changes significantly, telling specifically of the forces that bring about this change.  How does this character relate to the other characters before the change and how does this character relate to the other characters after the change?

I feel like I keep talking about Walter in all the blogs I have done for this play, but he is an important character who has a huge role in the story.  He seems to be the character who went through the biggest change.  At the beginning of the play, Walter seemed so engrossed in himself and opening his liquor store that he sort of forgot his morals.  He didn't care that accepting Lindner's money would be degrading of himself and he would be allowing the white people to have a leg above them anyway.  However, the main force that brought about Walter's change was probably Mama.  She scolded him and made him feel bad.  She wanted him to realize that he was being a disgrace to the family and to his father.  This seemed like the final motivation that made Walter change his ways.  At the end of the play, he did what was right, regardless if it was the easy way out.  Mama and the rest of his family was incredibly happy with him and the end of the play finished on a more light-hearted note.

A Raisin In The Sun; Act III

"And we have decided to move into our house because my father - my father - he earned it for us brick by brick...We don't want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors.  And that's all we got to say about that...We don't want your money." - Walter, page 148.

For this blog, I am going to answer a question from the list of study questions.

Often, in life, a situation may reach a "point of no return" - the point after which the life of a person can never be the same.  Describe such a turning point for a character in Raisin.

Walter could have very easily taken the money the man was offering and the family would have gained back what they had lost and been able to live a bit better.  However, Walter stood his ground and refused the money.  Now, he cannot take what he has said back.  That is it.  The family is going to move into the new house.  Their lives are going to be a lot different because of this situation.  It is going to be good because they are all going to be able to live more comfortable instead of being squished into such a tight space.  However, the family is definitely going to have to be aware that they could be in danger since they are moving into a neighborhood consisting of all whites.  They may be living more comfortably, but they are going to have to be on their toes more.

A Raisin In The Sun; Act II, Scene Two

"You wouldn't understand yet, son, but your daddy's gonna make a transaction...a business transaction that's going to change our lives..." - Walter, page 104.

For this blog, I am going to answer a question from the list of study questions.

In literature, as in life, a character may search for a better way of life.  Show how two characters from A Raisin In The Sun are searching for a better way of life.  Explain what each character is hoping to gain through this search and discuss the ways in which each character attempts to bring about a change in his or her life.

One character that is very clearly searching for a better way of life is Walter.  Walter feels that his job is not providing enough for his family.  That is why he wants to use some of Mama's money to open a liquor store.  He feels that by doing this, he can earn more money and provide for his family more.  Walter is searching for a wealthier life.  He wants to live more lavishly and be comfortable instead of nervous about making payments.  Another character who is searching for a better way of life is Beneatha.  She wants to escape what may seem like her destiny of living poor and as a minority.  She wants to rise above the norm and become a doctor.  She wants to be independent.  In fact, when her family comments to her on who she should marry, she sort of just blows everything off.  She is basically dating two people yet feels no love or connection with either of them.  She seems to be looking for a life where she can depend only on herself instead of being strapped to someone else.