Analysis of Female Characters in "A Raisin in The Sun"

Introduction

Hansberry's “A Raisin in the Sun” bravely challenges the generalization about women of 1950s America as a nation that believes women are only for breeding and being good housewives. The women in this play, Mama, Ruth, and Beneatha, represent three generations of black women who, despite facing dual oppression, continue to dream of a better tomorrow. Although their desires differ in nature, they all embody their roles as women, whether it be owning a house, paying for their child’s education, or attending medical school. Hansberry was relatively revolutionary; she demonstrated herself and stood against the American society that believed a woman's place was in the kitchen.

Analysis of Female Characters in A Raisin in The Sun

For the Younger women, their dreams seem more distant than they would for most women today. Nowadays, owning a house or paying for a medical school education is far more accessible than it was for these women. In the time this play is set, being a woman often meant marrying young, having limited opportunities for higher education, and keeping a house clean for her husband and children. Since much of this play revolves around Walter Lee's struggles to prove his self-worth, it is easy to overlook Hansberry's portrayal of women.

Mama: The Traditional Matriarch

Mama, the head of the family, holds a traditional view of women's roles. A Christian woman who values moral responsibility, she strives to protect her family from abandoning their principles to achieve success in life. She ensures that her family never forgets God so that they may succeed. Mama’s character is beautifully portrayed as a precious mother—loving, caring, yet strict and protective, even from themselves. A person’s first enemy is often oneself, but a mother is always there to make you better. It is Mama who has the authority to decide how her late husband's ten-thousand-dollar insurance money, anticipated by other family members, will be spent. As the family leader, Mama always seems to have the best interests of others in mind. A warm, loving, supportive character who longs for a decent house for her family to enjoy, Mama represents the ideal mother, embodying the nurturing side of women.

Ruth: The Neutral Force

Ruth is a woman who is genuinely neutral regarding her role as a housewife. Not as conservative as Mama and not as radical as Beneatha, she occupies a middle ground, representing a neutral force in the house. She is part of it, but she follows her husband and lacks the power to control any other family member except her children. It is evident from Ruth's appearance that times have been tough for her, as her facial expression shows exhaustion and extreme tiredness. Ruth performs the traditional domestic work of a woman, supplementing Walter Lee's income as a driver by working as a cook and maid for other families. Ruth shares Mama's enthusiasm for using the insurance money to secure their own place where she can spend as much time relaxing in the bath as she wants. She embodies the standard type of woman of that era, unlike today's working woman; Ruth’s family was her first priority. However, as a human, she has a limit to bearing stress and caring for others. Ruth faces numerous internal conflicts when she discovers she is pregnant. Her relationship with Walter becomes increasingly distant, as demonstrated when Walter learns that Ruth will have a risky, illegal abortion, and her husband responds indifferently. This event shows that Ruth and Walter Lee are more focused on their financial situation than each other, and they don't truly know each other anymore. Living in such dire conditions has left Ruth's maternal instinct in a state of despair, leading her to consider ending her pregnancy rather than raising a child in an environment where she cannot provide for all its needs.

Beneatha: The Radical Feminist

Beneatha is the youngest and most radical of the women. She is independent, knows what she wants from life, and needs no one to help her achieve it. In "A Raisin in the Sun," Beneatha represents what we today call a feminist, believing in equality between men and women. There is much tension between Beneatha and her older brother Walter because of her desire and ambition to become a doctor, a profession typically reserved for men at that time. Walter is envious of Beneatha's education and cannot understand why she would want to pursue a medical career. This demonstrates that Walter is uncomfortable with a woman having a higher level of education than him and holds outdated views on women and how they should appear in society. As a young woman of twenty trying to find her identity, Beneatha experiments with various forms of self-expression, which extends to all aspects of her life, including the men she dates. George Murchison and Joseph Asagai are entirely different men from opposite ends of the social spectrum. Both are African men with different perspectives on life. Asagai, a Nigerian, represents a connection to Beneatha's heritage. Murchison, on the other hand, represents a black population absorbed into American culture, living for what has now been deemed the 'American Dream.' While Murchison has what Walter longs for: financial security, a good education, and a large home, Beneatha feels more affinity with Asagai, who is more realistic, familiar with the struggles of Africans, and wants to help his country, much like Beneatha dreams of advancing herself with a medical degree. In this way, Beneatha and Asagai are very similar as they search for ways to free themselves from oppression in a world that does not yet understand the value of diversity or respect for racial differences.

Conclusion

"A Raisin in the Sun" was written during a time when it heralded the revolution in black and women's consciousness. Through Hansberry's characters' motivations and actions, it is evident that a revolution is unfolding in American society. An era of social awakening is occurring, resulting from a mounting discontent that could no longer be ignored, especially by the minorities most affected. Through the women in this play, we vicariously experience a typical day for black women and glimpse both the hardships and triumphs of their world. Hansberry's realistic portrayal of these lives challenges conventional views of womanhood by demonstrating that women are as strong as men in difficult situations and can continue to dream and challenge themselves despite the obstacles they encounter on the paths of life.

Impact and Legacy

The play showcased three personalities of women and highlighted strengths that many men often overlook or choose to ignore to maintain the subjugation of women. Hansberry challenged the community and demonstrated how women could impact and support their families. She showed how women could contribute to their community's success if given the opportunity. Although the play could have focused solely on issues like poverty or racism, it also highlighted an important aspect of women's struggles during the 1950s. Women are the heart of every story—whether as mothers, daughters, wives, or grandmothers. They are always the supporters and the shoulders to cry on. They are also the strength when one is weak. Hansberry conveyed this aspect beautifully in the play, which I deeply admire.

References

1. Hansberry, L. (1959). A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Random House.
2. Bloom, H. (2009). Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Bloom's Literary Criticism.
3. Washington, J. (2004). Rereading "A Raisin in the Sun": A Thematic Exploration. Journal of African American Studies, 8(4), 15-29.
4. Wilkerson, M. (1986). Critical Essays on Lorraine Hansberry. Boston: G.K. Hall.