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A Lesson Learned from A Raisin in the Sun: A Response to Prompt #1 - First Draft

Mikenzie Nartker

Southeastern University

Introduction to Literature

Professor Nancy Johnson

January 25, 2022

A Lesson Learned from A Raisin in the Sun: A Response to Prompt #1 - First Draft

“When you starts measuring somebody, measure him right… Make sure you done taken

into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is” (Hansberry,

3.1.114). Mama Lena was devastated by her son, but he was still that, her son. She knew that he

had a hard life, and although he had hurt her, he would redeem himself. Through adversity and

his circumstances, he was able to rise above and make good for his family. In the play, A Raisin

in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry tells a story of a poor black family, the Youngers, in the south

side of Chicago. Throughout her play, she teaches many valuable lessons through great relatable

characterization. The Younger family receives an insurance check from the death of Walter Sr.

which causes familial and racial tensions. Fortunately, the Younger family overcomes their

circumstances to rise above and exceed expectations of their world, their community, and even

their family.

First, Beneatha Younger exceeds the expectations of the world by studying to become a

doctor as a black woman. In the play, Beneatha has garnered the attention of two suitable young

men. However, Beneatha’s first priority is to become a doctor. While discussing her possible

suitors, Beneatha makes it clear to her mother that the most important thing to her is not marriage

but of course her future occupation. “I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here better

understand that!” (1.1.291). Next, she is aware of her position in life. She knows that she does

not have much. She may not have much to give to other people, but she knows that she can heal

people. “. I always thought it was the one concrete thing in the world that a human being could

do. Fix up the sick… and make them whole again “(3.1.14). Beneatha was very driven to fulfill

her goals for her life. For a short time, she thought she would not be able to go to school due to
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her brother foolishness. By the end of the play, you can see that Beneatha is driven to becoming

a doctor and exceeding expectations as a black female doctor.

Next, Lena Younger exceeds the expectations of her community by using the insurance

money to buy her family a home in a nice community, albeit predominately white. Lena

Younger is the matriarch of the family. Her husband Walter Sr. passed away and left the family

with a $10,000 insurance check when he died. Her family is pressuring her to spend the money

in many different ways. Ultimately, the decision of how to spend the money is up to her. After a

very rough day of arguing and difficult conversations, Lena goes out an spends part of the money

on a down payment for a larger house for the family. She knew what she needed to do and took

a huge chance. “…You just got to do something different, push on out and do something bigger

…” (2.1.187). Later, Lena took a chance and gave Walter the rest of the money. Part of the

money was for Beneatha’s schooling and part of it was for him to do what he felt was wisest.

Unfortunately, Walter’s business plan did not work out well, and he lost the rest of the money.

The family, especially Lena, had every right to be mad at him and to not trust him anymore.

However, Lena exceeded expectations and forgave her son. ““I ain’t never stop trusting you.

Like I ain’t never stop loving you” (2.2.115). Lena forgave her son and moved her family into a

nice house. The community was not the best, but she exceeded expectations by taking care of

her family and loving them unconditionally.

Lastly, Walter Younger exceeded the expectations of his family by redeeming himself by

standing up to blatant racism. By far, Walter Jr. develops the most as a character in the play. At

the beginning of the play, he is unhappy and all he wants is to invest in a liquor store with a

couple of friends. He and his wife, Ruth, seem to argue and have become complacent. He is not
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happy with his position in life. He gets angry when the money comes, and Lena does not give

him anything to invest. He is irritable and takes it out on his family and gets drunk. When Lena

finally entrusts him with the remaining $6,500, he never takes it to the bank like she asks. He

trusts Bobo, one of his investment partners, to take it to the other partner, Willy Harris. Sadly,

Willy Harris takes the money and disappears. Everyone is upset with him. Eventually, the

family comes around because their love for Walter is far greater than their love for the money.

When the Younger family comes under attack from their future neighbors, Walter must

stand up for his family and against racism. After Mr. Lindner comes to bribe the family to stay

out of his neighborhood, Walter calls him back over to the house. The man expects Walter to be

calling to take the money and to stay where he is. However, Walter has other plans when the man

comes back to the house. “And we have decided to move into our house because my father—my

father—he earned it for us brick by brick” (3.130). In this moment, Walter exceeded all

expectations placed on him. Walter exceeded the expectations of his family and redeemed

himself for losing the rest of the money. Next, he exceeded the expectations of Mr. Lindner and

the world by standing up to racism and not allowing the privileged white people to walk upon his

less privileged black family. By standing up to Mr. Lindner, Walter redeemed himself by putting

his family and his father’s legacy first. Walter Younger grew as a man and took his place as the

patriarch of the family.

A Raisin in the Sun shows that even those with almost nothing are able to do amazing

things and exceed expectations. Expectations come from family, friends, the world, and even

ourselves. In the play, the Youngers are able to take those expectations and move on from them.

The play was written at the beginning of the civil rights movement in America. At that time, the
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work was an inspiration for the black Americans to rise above. In that day, many white people

expected to get the blacks to do whatever they wanted just as in slave times. Just like in the 50’s

today, this play and Walter’s story can give those who find themselves in adversity and the

minority the inspiration and guide to exceed expectations.

References

Hansberry, L., & Nemiroff, R. (1994). A Raisin in the Sun. Vintage Books.
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