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Struggles within the Younger family in the play A Raisin in the Sun

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Struggles within the Younger family in the play A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin In The Sun

Rolling in the Dust

“Oh- so now it’s life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life- now it’s money. I guess the world really do change…” (74).
This quote reveals the economic struggles within the Younger family in the play A Raisin in the Sun. Throughout the play, Mama’s views are at odds with Walter’s views. For Walter, who feels enslaved in his job and life, money is the truest freedom. To him, money seems to be the answer to everything. Money, he believes, allows people to live comfortable and carefree lives. It also seems to him that money defines a man by measuring his success and ability to provide for his
family. …show more content…

Walter’s ultimate dream was to invest money in the liquor store and become rich. Beneatha, on the other hand, had something different in mind. Her dream was to become a doctor.
Everyone knew that becoming a doctor would require hard work and lots of money. Walter, who wanted to spend the money on the investment, was outraged at the fact that Beneatha wanted to become a doctor. “Have we figured out yet just exactly how much medical school is going to cost?” (36). “Who the hell told you that you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people- then go be a nurse like other women- or just get married and be quiet” (38). Walter knew that to become a doctor, a lot of money would be needed. He informed
Beneatha that not many women were successful in becoming doctors. It would just end up wasting money so the best thing to do would be marry a rich guy or become a nurse. After the insurance money from
Beneatha’s father was gone, her dreams were really crushed. Her brother Walter had lost all the money in the initial investment of the liquor store. When Mama came to hear of the horrible news, she could not believe it. “You mean…your sister’s school money…you used that too…Walter?” (129). Both Walter and Beneatha were not successful in accomplishing their life’s dreams because they had no money.

From a very young age, I have always been very close to my

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