A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun (1961) by Lorraine Hansberry (play/screenplay) is a family drama about a discontented, cohabitating extended family all living in the same small apartment, and the conflicting ideas of what a $10,000 insurance check can do for each of them. Leading the pack of dreamers is the bitter and ambitious chauffeur, Walter Lee Younger (Sidney Poitier), who wants to invest the entire check into a liquor store. Walter's wife, the overworked and exhausted, Ruth (Ruby Dee) hates their "rattrap" apartment and desperately wants a bigger home. Also in residence is the free-spirited, progressive-minded, Beneatha "Bennie" Younger (Diana Sands) who needs some of that money for her medical school tuition (though we never actually see her studying or bringing books home), and she doesn't seem capable of settling into anything. Holding the position of matriarch is the devoted, family-loving Lena "Mama" Younger (Claudia McNeil) who manages her family with the wrath of God and goodness and by the spirit of five generations of hardworking predecessors, including her deceased husband. Early on, the frustrated Walter Lee says, "Nobody in this house is ever going to understand me." He thinks he has a no-lose money-making scheme, but none of the women agree. When Mama decides to use part of the money for a down payment on a house, Ruth is excited, but Walter Lee is angry. He feels betrayed and runs to the bar to drink himself stupid. When Mama takes pity on the drunk Walter Lee and gives him the rest of the insurance money, Walter Lee is a changed man. This seems like Mama is making a bad decision, but Walter Lee thinks Mama finally understands his ambition. Meanwhile, Mark Linder (John Fiedler), a representative of the Clybourn Park Neighborhood Association, arrives at the apartment with an offer to buy back the property. He says most of the residents don't want them moving in, but the family promptly refuses his offer and tells him to leave. Walter soon learns that one of his soon-to-be partners "Willie," takes off with all the money. This seems like the end of the line for Walter Lee's dream, but then he decides to sell the new house back to the neighborhood "Improvement Association," which voted to keep them out of that neighborhood. It seems that Walter Lee's journey was really about effectively establishing himself as the man of the house and then earning the respect of his family. He wanted to be able to provide them with something better, and he did-the declaration to Mark Linder that they were, indeed, moving into the neighborhood and into the house Mama bought for all of them to share.