NON-AFRICAN DRAMA
Lorraine Hansberry: A Raisin in the Sun
Examine the youngers as a close -knit family?
Explanation
The home setting of the Youngers throws light upon them as a close-knit family. Though they share facilities with neighbours and are cramped in, Mama, their pillar of unity, believes in the importance of family and this drives her to ensure that all the members toe the line, one way or the other. As individuals, they have their dreams but in the background is a well-bonded family and no one is left out of the fold. Ruth does her bit by making sure the family wakes up early to use the shared bathroom on time before others encumber it. Travis's hope is restored when his father (Walter) satisfies him with the fifty cents for school. Travis also gets an extra fifty cents for fruits from his father.
This shows that there is always someone who cares for the rest, even Travis, in times of need. No one acts alone in the Younger family. Walter craves for his wife's (Ruth's) support to convince Mama that his request for a share of the insurance money for establishing a liquor store is worthwhile. To keep the family united, Mama relents in her criticism of Walter's business proposal. Thus, when Walter is duped of his money, he is not left to bear the sorrow alone. Indeed the family's unending arguments and different views do not break them apart as they pursue their individual dreams.
The Younger family's closeness is anchored on Mama's attitude to everyone. She insists, for instance, that Beneatha put on a robe in the cold morning; she offers to help Ruth in her ironing and does not forget to seek assurance that Travis has had hot oats for breakfast instead of cold cereal. Mama's habit of noticing how Ruth feels and behaves makes Ruth feel like Mama's own daughter. She admonishes Ruth to eat well and makes excuses for her to "stay home from work". Also Mama shares the joy of the expected cheque with Ruth first.
The Youngers' closeness as a family is expressed in the way Mama uses her discretion and goodwill in putting the ten thousand dollar-insurance money to use to make everyone happy. Beneatha's dream of attending medical school as well as Walter's longing to own a store are all catered for by the cheque. Buying a bigger house at Clybourne Park is also a dream come true as it keeps the family together. It moves them up a little higher. For the first time, Mama is happy that she gets a gift of gardening tools and a hat even though it isn't Christmas time. But the unity of the Younger family is brought under severe stress and strain as the family confronts and rejects Mr. Karl Lindner's offer to buy them off their new acquisition of the house at Clybourne Park. By this act they prove that together, they can fight the racial bigotry and prejudices of their white counterparts.
Points to note:
(1) The Younger's background and setting.
(2) Mama as the pillar/anchor/fulcrum on/around which the family rest/revolve.
(3) Their togetherness in spite of their individual differences and aspirations.
(4) The family's ability to resist the racist offer to keep them out of Clybourne Park.