Lena Younger: The Pillar of Family Strength

Lena Younger, also known as Mama, is the matriarch of the Younger family in "A Raisin in the Sun." In her early 60s, Lena embodies the strength, wisdom, and traditional values that hold the family together through challenging times.

Highlight: Lena's character represents the older generation's values and dreams, often in contrast with her children's aspirations.

Lena's role in A Raisin in the Sun is multifaceted:

1. Family Matriarch: She makes crucial decisions that affect the entire family.
2. Moral Compass: Her strong faith and ethical standards guide the family's actions.
3. Dream Keeper: Lena holds onto the family's long-standing dream of owning a house.
4. Mediator: She navigates the conflicts between family members, especially Walter and Beneatha.

Quote: "Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody? Well then, you ain't through learning - because that ain't the time at all... It's when he's at his lowest and can't believe in hisself 'cause the world done whipped him so!" (This quote, while not from the provided text, exemplifies Lena's wisdom and compassion)

Is Lena Younger a dynamic character? While Lena's core values remain consistent, she does show adaptability:

1. She learns to understand and support Beneatha's quest for identity.
2. She evolves in her relationship with Walter, ultimately trusting him with family decisions.
3. She adapts to changing circumstances while maintaining her principles.

How is family presented in A Raisin in the Sun? Through Lena's character, family is portrayed as:

1. A source of strength and support
2. A unit that faces challenges together
3. A complex network of relationships with conflicting dreams and values
4. A legacy to be preserved and honored

Example: Lena's decision to use the insurance money to buy a house in a white neighborhood demonstrates her commitment to improving the family's future, even in the face of potential adversity.

Is Mama a static or dynamic character in A Raisin in the Sun? While Lena's core values remain constant, her actions and decisions throughout the play suggest a dynamic character:

1. She adapts her expectations for her children's futures.
2. She learns to balance her authority with allowing her children to make their own choices.
3. She shows growth in her understanding of the changing world around her.

Vocabulary: Dynamic character - A character who undergoes significant internal change throughout the course of a story.

Walter Lee Younger: Dreamer in Conflict

Walter Lee Younger, a man in his mid-30s, is a central character in "A Raisin in the Sun" whose dreams and frustrations drive much of the play's conflict. As an African American man living in 1950s Chicago, Walter embodies the struggle against racial and economic barriers.

Highlight: Walter's character represents the tension between the American Dream and the reality of systemic racism and economic inequality.

Walter's key characteristics include:

1. Ambition: He dreams of owning a liquor store to improve his family's financial situation.
2. Frustration: His current job as a chauffeur leaves him feeling unfulfilled and emasculated.
3. Impulsiveness: Often acts without fully considering the consequences of his actions.
4. Complexity: Struggles with his role as a husband, father, and son while pursuing his dreams.

Quote: "I want so many things that they are driving me kind of crazy..." (This quote, while not from the provided text, encapsulates Walter's internal struggle)

Walter's relationships within the family are strained:

1. With Ruth (his wife): Communication breakdown and growing distance due to financial stress and his obsession with his business dreams.
2. With Mama (Lena): Conflict over the use of the insurance money and feelings of being misunderstood.
3. With Beneatha (his sister): Jealousy over Mama's financial support for her education.

Example: Walter's reaction to Ruth's pregnancy and consideration of abortion highlights the tension in their marriage and the impact of financial stress on their relationship.

Walter's character arc in the play:

1. Initially focused solely on his dream of owning a business
2. Experiences deep disappointment and anger when his plans fail
3. Ultimately grows to understand the importance of family and dignity over material success

Definition: Character arc - The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a narrative.

How is identity shown in A Raisin in the Sun through Walter's character?

1. Struggle between societal expectations and personal aspirations
2. Conflict between traditional family roles and individual dreams
3. The impact of racial and economic barriers on self-perception and ambition

Walter's journey in the play demonstrates that identity is not fixed but can evolve through experiences and choices, reflecting the broader themes of growth and self-discovery in "A Raisin in the Sun."