Sometimes, life gets so challenging and depressing that it takes a dream for a person to start the next day’s challenges. Mama the elder of the Younger family links a plant to the premises of her dream. Walter, doesn’t think material things or a job, are the answer and wants a business. Beneatha, daughter of Mama, and Walters sister, wants an education, and to come into her identity. In Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, dreams serve the function of a home, economic prosperity, and to be a Doctor.
Walter, husband to Ruth, and father to Travis, schemes to provide for the family a better economic future. Ruth frustrates Walter; she thinks that every time a man wants to better his life for his family, he gets slapped back down with statements like “eat your eggs” (34). Walter takes the money that his mother gives him, and gives it to Bobo in which they can have Willy start the dreams of having a business, shortly after Bobo, informs Walter that Willy has run off with their money and is nowhere to be found. Walter is not a good listener, and doesn’t pay much attention to his family’s concerns. He likes to interfere with Beneatha’s friend choices, and wants her to be with the rich one. Realizing that a home is more important than getting rich quick, he stands up to Linder’s offer. With the breakdown of his deal, Walter comes to realize that its family pride and love, that is the answer to a happy home.
Mama is Walters and Beneatha caring and nurturing mother, she’s the sensitive one, and wants the family to respect each other’s, and take pride in their dreams. Mamas nurturing character as with her plant, that she tends to everyday, is a reminder to the rest of the family that love is in the home. Mama purchases a new home for the family. Mama cares for Walter deeply and wants him to be a providing father and to grow into his manhood. In trying to produce responsibility, mama gives Walter the remaining insurance money to use as a payment for Beneatha’s education,...