“A Raisin in the Sun” was written by Lorraine Hansberry. It has won her an award in 1959, at age 29, the youngest American, the fifth woman, and the black playwright to win the Best Play of the Year Award of the New York Drama Critics. This book of the play has been put in its entire form. The original play did not include some scenes. This book has been an inspiration to a lot people. In my personal opinion, the central message is to show how the value systems of black families are. In some ways they are unique, but most ways are exactly the same as white families.
In most white and black families, God is the center and heart of the family. An example of how strong an influence on families is when Beneatha and Lena argue about God’s existence. “Beneatha: Mama, you don’t understand. It’s all a matter of ideas, and God is just one idea I don’t accept. It’s not important. I am not going out and be immoral or commit crimes because I don’t believe in God. I don’t even think about it. It’s just that I get tired of Him getting credit for all the things the human race achieves through its own stubborn effort.
There simply is no blasted God-there is only man and it is he who makes miracles! ” After Beneatha had finished her argument, Lena slapped her across her face and madeBeneatha say, “In my mother’s house there is still God”. Lena stressed out her points that she will not tolerate any ideas like that in her house, or as long as she’s around. Black families have a huge sense of pride of where they come from. For example, Asagai always talked about Africa and how it will be good for him if he goes there. He even asked Beneatha if she would go with him. ”Asagai: Nigeria.
Home. Coming to her with genuine romantic flippancy) I will show you our mountains and our stars; and nice you cool drinks from gourds and teach you the old songs and the ways of our people-and, in time, we will pretend that- (Very Softly)-you have only been away for a day. Say that you’ll come- (He swings her around and takes her full in his arms in a kiss which proceeds to passion)” Asagai believes that Nigeria is a better home for him and Beneatha but Beneatha is too confused about it because she said that a lot of things happened today and she doesn’t know what to say.
Beneatha: Too many things-too many things have happened today. I must sit down and think. I don’t know what I feel about anything right at this minute. ” Black families always have a strong mind and at the time they were in, they didn’t want any white person or family to get in the way of them moving into a white town. They were a proud family. They didn’t want to cause trouble, all they wanted was to live happily in a house that their father and husband sweat blood for. Walter almost gave in and wanted to settle for the money Mr.
Lindner was going to pay for the family to go to another place to live, but he later realized that he and his family should move. “Walter: I’m going to look that son-of-a-bitch in the eyes and say- (He falters)-and say, ‘All right, Mr. Lindner- (He falters even more)-that’s your neighborhood out there! You got the right to keep it like you want! Just write the check and-the house is yours. ‘
And -and I am going to say- (His voice almost breaks) ‘And you-you people just put money in my hand and you won’t have to live next to this bunch of stinking niggers! Later on, Walter hasn’t said a work until Mr. Lindner arrives. When they begin talking, Walter gives a surprising speech, giving no hint on what he will say in the end. This is what he concludes. “Walter: And we have decided to move into our house because my father-my father-he earned it for us brick by brick. (Mama has her eyes closed and is rocking back and forth as though she were in church, with her head nodding the Amen yes) 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. (He looks the man absolutely in the eyes) We don’t want your money. (He turns and walks away) The Younger family is now going to move into a white neighborhood. We don’t know what will happen to them, they might live happily ever after, or the white people will give them hell. We do know that they will be praying to God and that they are proud of their heritage and most importantly they have pride and will try their best to live happily ever after.