A Raisin In The Sun Character Analysis Chart Answers
“A Raisin In The Sun” is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry. It was first performed on Broadway in 1959 and has since become a classic of American theater. The play tells the story of the Younger family, a working-class African-American family living in Chicago in the 1950s. The family is awaiting an insurance check that will change their lives, and the play explores the various ways that each member of the family wants to use the money.
The Younger Family
The main characters of the play are members of the Younger family. The family consists of Lena (Mama), Walter Lee (her son), Ruth (Walter Lee's wife), Beneatha (Walter Lee's sister), and Travis (Walter Lee and Ruth's son).
Lena (Mama)
Lena (Mama) is the matriarch of the family. She is a deeply religious woman who values family above all else. She wants to use the insurance money to buy a house for the family to live in. Lena is a symbol of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Walter Lee
Walter Lee is Lena's son and the protagonist of the play. He is a chauffeur who dreams of starting his own business. Walter Lee is frustrated with his life and feels trapped by his circumstances. He wants to use the insurance money to invest in a liquor store with his friends. Walter Lee is a complex character who struggles with his identity and his role in the family.
Ruth
Ruth is Walter Lee's wife. She is a practical woman who works as a domestic servant. Ruth is pregnant and considering having an abortion because she does not want to bring another child into the family's cramped apartment. Ruth is a symbol of the sacrifices that women make for their families.
Beneatha
Beneatha is Walter Lee's sister. She is a college student who is exploring her African heritage. Beneatha wants to use the insurance money to pay for medical school. She is a symbol of the aspirations of the younger generation and the changing values of African-Americans in the 1950s.
Other Characters
Joseph Asagai
Joseph Asagai is Beneatha's Nigerian boyfriend. He is a symbol of the potential for a global community and the possibility of interracial relationships.
George Murchison
George Murchison is another one of Beneatha's suitors. He is a wealthy African-American who is more concerned with fitting in with white society than with his own heritage. George is a symbol of the assimilationist tendencies within the African-American community.
Karl Lindner
Karl Lindner is a white representative of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association. He offers the Younger family money in exchange for not moving into a predominantly white neighborhood. Lindner is a symbol of the racism and discrimination faced by African-Americans in the 1950s.
Conclusion
“A Raisin In The Sun” is a powerful and thought-provoking play that explores the complexities of the African-American experience in the 1950s. The characters are rich and fully realized, and their struggles are still relevant today. By analyzing the characters through a character analysis chart, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the play and its themes.
