NON AFRICAN DRAMA
Lorraine Hansberry: A Raisin in the Sun
Consider the importance of of the check in the play.
Explanation
The Younger family lives in a cramped two-bedroom apartment, where they share the bathroom with neighbours over a long period of time, in a black neighbourhood.
The family is expecting a check of $10,000 from the insurance office. This check is the entitlement of their deceased father’s (Mr. M. Younger) life insurance policy.
The check comes in after a very long wait and everyone in the family is happy. However, they see the check as the vessel that will take them to higher heights. Mama, the matriarch wants to use the money to buy a house in fulfillment of the dream she shared with her late husband. She longs for a bigger accomodation that will have a little garden where her children can breathe out. Above all, she wants her family together with her son taking responsibility as the head of the family. Walter, Mama’s son wants to use the check money to invest in a liquor store business with his friends in hope of great proceeds that will improve their lives.
At the thought of this project, Waiter suddenly becomes more confident and energised as he talks to Travis, his son, of his plans to do a transaction that will make them rich. His excitement grows as he describes his dreams of their potential house, a car, as well as Travis’s future education plan.
Roth, Walter’s wife, shares Mama’s dream of a new accommodation with proper trimmings like a big kitchen and a bathroom where she can luxuriate in a proper bathtub without any disturbance. In addition, she wants her husband to venture into business and provide a good education for their son, Travis.
Beneatha, Walter’s sister and Mama’s daughter, wants some of the money for her medical school tuition. She wants to be medical doctor and to be independent and take decisions about her life.
Each member realizes that the check will bring about great changes in their lives. They long for a better life in their various dreams and only the check, well utilized, can give them that.
However, the check raises a lot of conflict as a result of diverse interests of the individual family members. It takesthe firm decision of Mama to resolve the issues in their lives, but, later, they realize that it is only the check, well utilized, that can give them the unity and progress they as a family.
Points to note:
(a) The check creates suspense in the play as every character is full of individual expectation.
(b) Mama’s fundamental resolve is to get a new home for the family from the check.
(c) Everyone is convinced that the check will change things for better.
(d) Mama’s decision causes a rift in the family. She tactfully settles matters by giving Walter the remainder of the check to manage.
(e) The usefulness of the check can only be seen if it is used judiciously.
(f) Mama epitomises the determination of blacks to move out of the poverty-striken and racially-segregated life to black Americans have been consigned.