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The No Name Woman is forced to keep silent from the very second that her baby is conceived. Knowing her status in China in 1924, the No Name Woman does not tell anyone about what happened to her and who did it. Whether it was rape or consensual, she is forced to be silent by the man who slept with her. On page 6 we read that she is kept a man’s “secret evil”. The man who partnered with the No Name Woman in the adultery is also keeping silent. He does not announce he is the one to impregnate her, leaving it a mystery. The narrator questions if the secret man is so silent that he chooses to hide behind a mask during the house raid. He participates in the punishment towards the No Name Woman, all while silently sharing a secret with her. On the bottom of page 13 we read that after the raid, “…the family broke their silence and cursed her”. She runs away from the house, far enough to no longer hear their cursing voices until she is in silence once again, and gives birth in the pigsty. Later that night, she chooses an eternal silence by committing suicide. The last image we get of the No Name Woman is that she is a weeping ghost, waiting silently by the water to pull down a substitute.

“You must not tell anyone what I am about to tell you”. From the very first line of the book the readers know that there is a secret that should be kept silent. The narrator is told a single story about her aunt and is directed to not share the story with anyone else. Not only is the narrator asked to keep quiet of the single story, but she also has to keep silent of any questions she has about the truth and falsehood of the story. We know that she’s told to not bring it up to her father, so no questions can be answered by him, but since the narrator doesn’t even know her aunts name, there is no opportunity for her to go outside of her home and ask questions about her aunt to others. Any questions she wants to ask about her aunt are immediately silenced and they’re forced to be kept to herself, since her aunt essentially has no name, and essentially never existed. While she is imagining what happened to her aunt, the narrator potentially could have touched on the truth of the aunt’s story, but she will never know. If that is the case, the truth and the No Name Woman’s story is silenced once again. The narrator says she has participated in the family’s punishment and the silence by not asking for details after hearing the story twenty years ago. The narrator believes she is being haunted by her aunt’s ghost because after fifty years of neglect, the silence is broken when she writes of her aunt.

Kingston’s writing shows that her aunt’s life story isn’t decided by something that she did or didn’t do, but rather it is decided by the way that her survivors have told her story. The power of the story of the No Name Woman is entirely in the hands of the storyteller. Perhaps this same story could be used to show the cruel and unethical treatment of women in China, but the way that the mother tells the story is a warning to her daughter, implying that the aunt was lustful and chose to commit adultery (whether this is the truth or not). Kingston hears that single story and finally questions the truth, offering the readers another interpretation of it. The story we read from Kingston blurs the lines between truth and falsehood, making it difficult to decipher accurate information about the No Name Woman.

What are the dangers of the single story the mother tells, or should it remain the way it is (as a warning)?

Kingston says that her aunt’s ghost haunts her and doesn’t always mean her well because in Kingston’s writing, she is “telling on her”. Do you think it would have been better off for her mother to have kept the silence, and for there to be no story at all?

Walter is one of the most dynamic character’s because his character evolves throughout the play by changing from a caring, family man to a very selfish person, only looking out for himself, to then become a family man again at the end of the play. Walters fantasizes over living the “american dream” and thinks that money will solve all his problems. He hates his job as a chauffeur, which pushes him even more to want to make more money, and to have a more important job. Even though mama is extremely disappointed in Walter for losing all the money she still remains a supportive mother figure to him, which helps all the of the characters grow.

Mama: There is always something left to love. And if you ain’t learned that then you ain’t learned nothing…. Its when he’s at his lowest and can’t believe in hisself’ cause the world done whipped him so!

This is said to Beneatha after she shows her dissapoint for losing all of the money, and basically ruining her future. Mama tells Beneatha that Walter needs her to be supportive, and that instead of constantly feeling sorry for herself, she should be crying for Walter.  She explains for Beneatha that Walter has also been through a lot, and his intention for the liquor store were right, since he was going to use the money to give is family a better life. This is a very important quote because it shows no matter what her kids do, and how badly they mess up she will always be there to support them. Just like her plants throughout the play, mama nurtures, and cares for them hoping to watch them grow to their full potential.

Towards the end of the play we see a huge change in character when Walter stands up for his family and refuses the buyout offer from Mr. Linder.

Walter: And we have decided to move into our house my father-my father, he earned it for us brick by brick. We don’t want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors. And that’s all we got to say about that. We don’t want your money.

This is a huge step for Walter for becoming a more selfless person. Walter’s refusal to taking the money comes off a surprise to the family, since prior in the play he jeopardized Beneatha’s education, and mama’s insurance money because of his obsession with becoming rich. This scene shows a shift in his priorities as his focus is now on his family, and his family’s pride. The stage directions in this scene as Walter is standing up to Mr. Linder are also important… (Mama has her eyes closed and is rocking back and forth as though she was in church, with her head nodding the Amen yes). Mama has finally seen her son grow up, and become the family man that she has always wanted him to be, and is almost praying to God because of how happy she is to see this change.

Do you think Walter refused the buyout because his morals changed or because of pressure from his family? Which other characters have you seen evolve throughout the plan, and in what way?

Throughout the entire story, the themes of dreams, family, and love have been clearly relevant in A Raisin in the Sun. The audience can tell how much each idea means to the play and how much they contribute to the story. I believe that all of the characters have dreams and it is clear to see that, but in my opinion, Beneatha’s dreams are the most interesting and thought out, to me. All of these themes come to a head at the end of the play with the help of Beneatha’s storyline.

Beneatha has always dreamed of changing the label that has been put on her for being a woman of color that has goals and dreams. She is very intellectual, level-headed, and goes to college hoping she could further her career in being a doctor someday. She has always been the odd one out in her family. They always tease her about chasing her dreams, but that has never stopped her from trying to accomplish just that.

When her friend from Nigeria, Asagai, comes into the picture he encourages her to explore more of her culture and identity.

ASAGAI. Then isn’t there something wrong in a house – in a world – where all dreams, good or bad, must depend on the death of a man? I never thought to see you like this, Alaiyo. You! Your brother made a mistake and you are grateful to him so that now you can give up the ailing human race on account of it! You talk about what good is struggle, what good is anything! Where are all going and why are we bothering? (Act III, Page 135).

Asagai is, clearly and undeniably, in love with Beneatha, and although Beneatha is “dating” George, based on their body language alone, the audience can detect the love and chemistry they have with each other. After Walter gets rid of all of Beneatha’s money for school, she turns to Asagai. She was so distraught, and Asagai knew exactly what to say to her. For example, on page 136, Asagai helps and supports Beneatha, but also challenges Beneatha with a very important question:

ASAGAI. Good! Then stop moaning and groaning and tell me what you plan to do?

BENEATHA. Do?

ASAGAI. (Rather quietly for him) That when it is all over- that you come home with me-

BENEATHA. (Staring at him and and crossing away with exasperation) Oh- Asagai- at this moment you decide to be romantic!

Asagai literally and figuratively proposes to Beneatha by asking her to come back to Africa with him, to not only marry him, but to also live out her dreams and practice medicine in Africa. Beneatha realizes what she wants and by the end of the novel, she makes the decisions to go to Africa with Asagai, and pursue her dreams to help cure people and to be with the one she loves.

While her family (especially Walter), was very hesitant at first, they all knew that going to Africa was the best thing for her. Walter’s main focus in life is money, so I was not shocked why he was questioning Beneatha’s choices because he would have wanted her to marry George since he has money and could provide for her. This made me dislike Walter even more than I already did because he seemed like he was being selfish towards Beneatha and had no regard for her own dreams and plans.

Although, the Younger family has their issues, Beneatha knew it would be a tough decision to leave her family. They mean everything to her no matter how much they bicker and argue, and she knows they always want the best for her. Even at the very end when Beneatha and Walter are bickering, Mama and Ruth know how much they care for each other. I think that scene is so important because even after how much they fought over the money and the choices Walter made, they can come back together, even if they do start playfully bickering again, as siblings do.

In my opinion, Beneatha’s dream, love life, and family life are key points during Act III of the play. They are all important ideas in everyday life and are shown throughout the play. The idea of the sibling bond that Beneatha and Walter have is something that is so relevant and sometimes, these kind of arguments over money and our own personal relationships can get in between a family. Although, Beneatha has overcome struggles and everyone has their own opinions about the situation, she has prevailed through all of them. Personally for me, I like how she ended it because not every story is going to be this “Happily Ever After” scenario and it seemed very realistic to me, like not everything is going to be perfect. The questions I want to leave you guys with is what do you think of Beneatha becoming independent and stepping out on her own (with the help of Asagai) to further her career and relationship? And lastly, what are your overall thoughts on how the play ended and why do you think Lorraine Hansberry decided to end the play the way she did?

Throughout the play “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry the Younger family is no stranger to racism.  In Act II, Scene III there is a reference of the covertly racist society in which the Youngers are a part of.  Karl Lindner, Chairman of the New Neighbors Orientation Committee, stops by for a visit.  From the stage directions the reader/audience can tell he is noticeably nervous about what he is going to say yet continues on with a friendly disposition. While in the Younger’s household, Lindner attempts to buy out the family from moving into their new home because it happens to be in a white neighborhood where the residents don’t like the thought of a black family residing amongst them. Before he even gets to tell the family his offer, Walter tells him to get out of his house. 

Not only does this man not realize the impact of his actions towards this family, but he is also blinded by the systematic racism that he feels he is doing the family a favor by stopping in to talk. While taking Adichie’s, “The Danger of a Single Story” into consideration, Lindner is very ignorant to the fact that his single story of the Youngers being an African American family encourages racism. On page 119, Lindner says, “People can get awful worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everything they’ve worked for is threatened.” This statement, for many reasons, is extremely ironic. 

It is ironic because Lindner is completely unaware of who the Youngers are as individuals. He isn’t aware that Walter spends his days as a chauffeur for a stuck up white man just to put food on the table for his family. He doesn’t know Beneatha personally, which makes him oblivious to the fact that she is a hardworking student with the dream of becoming an esteemed doctor. He doesn’t know Mama, who works her tail off trying to improve living standards for her loving family after the loss of her husband. All he knows is their skin color. He sees that they are black and sees this as a threat to his community. The irony of what Lindner says is that he, with that single statement, justifies the Youngers to get enraged by his offer. Walter, Beneatha, and Ruth could have given Lindner an earful about who they were, or how hard they have worked for the success of their family. They have worked endlessly in an attempt to make their lives a little more convenient and comfortable, then this man comes in trying to take all away. Their hard earned money, and right to a better living standard is being threatened by their soon to be “community”. 

The thing that catches my eye the most is Lindner’s final line on page 119. “You just cant force people to change their hearts, son”. By Lindner saying this, it means he is well aware that what he is doing is wrong; he is allowing racism to overrule his character and moral judgement. Lindner is excusing the white community by saying you can’t change people for what they think. This is still relevant in our own society today. Many people justify racism with the fact that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, or that some people are just racist and theres nothing to be done about them; this mentality only hinders society from progression.

I feel that the Younger family should be proud of themselves for looking racism in the eye and fighting back in the simplest of ways. In this time frame it was difficult enough for African Americans, so for them to encounter racism and not budge on their beliefs is very notable. 

How do you think the Younger family feels after their encounter with Mr. Lindner?  Do you think the family should have considered the money offer for the house?

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry reveals to its readers the issues of class, gender and race. This black family living in the south side of Chicago is relying on an insurance check of $10,000 to help them somewhat escape from the common themes of racial and class inequalities occurring in this book.  In Act 2 Scene 3, it is moving day and the Younger family is preparing for moving into their new home in Clybourne Park. Mama received new gardening tools from her family and she has never received presents besides on Christmas so she is very grateful for this gift. Things between the Younger family seem to be getting better and they seem to be currently happy at this moment in the play. However, money is the motive for many and especially for Walter Lee Younger and Willy Harris. With Walter being the so-called “man of the house” Mama gives him $6,500 and she tells him to put $3,000 towards Beneatha’s schooling and whatever is left Walter is supposed to look after it and to decide what to do with it. However, things didn’t go as planned and Walter decided to take all of the $6,500 and invest all of it into the alcohol business. His business partner Willy decided to take all of the money and he ran off with it.

Having an education or having money, what is more important? Walter Lee Younger has become obsessed with money and it is the root of most his problems. He can’t even deal with the fact that he lost $6,500 but he is okay that Ruth was thinking about aborting their future child. This shows that Walter’s main focus is money. He is extremely selfish and feels entitled, he seems to think that he is the only person with money issues in the story or the only one struggling.

On Page 128, Bobo tells Walter that he did not go to Springfield yesterday and that he had no reason to.

Bobo: I’m talking about the fact that I got to the train station yesterday morning-eight o’clock like we planned … Man – Willy didn’t ever show up.

Walter: Why … where was he … where is he?

Bobo: That’s what I’m trying to tell you . . . I don’t know . . . I walked six hours . . . I called his house . . . and I walked six hours . . . I waited in that train station six hours . . . (Bobo begins to break down into tears) That was all the extra money I had in the world . . . Man, Willy is gone.

Walter goes off on a tangent and later towards the end of it he says “THAT MONEY IS MADE OUT OF MY FATHER’S FLESH” and Bobo responds to this by saying “I’m sorry Walter . . . I had my life staked on this deal, too . . .” (Page 129).

Walter makes the disappearance of both him and Bobo’s money all about him. There has been an ongoing theme of selfishness and the desperation for money since the very beginning of this play. Walter has strong ideas of how a household should function. He doesn’t seem to support Beneatha’s education he somewhat sees it more as a financial burden. The alcohol business has been lingering in Walter’s mind for so long. Mama puts her trust in Walter to make him feel like the “man of the house.” She gave him the power to fulfill his sense of  masculinity of making decisions for the whole entire family rather than him being subject to her decisions. Unlike Walter, whenever Mama makes a decision it’s for the whole entire family without only having her own personal interests in mind.

Not only is money ruining Walter’s life it also is ruining his relationships to the people around him. He is letting money get in the way of him and Ruth’s marriage, he is constantly fighting about the insurance check they received with Mama, and he lost all the money that was supposed to go towards Beneatha’s schooling.

Mama begins to beat Walter on page 130 and as she is hitting him she says, “I seen him . . . night after night . . . come in and look at that rug . . . and then look at me . . . the red showing in his eyes . . . the veins moving in his head . . . I seen him grow thin and old before he was forty . . . working and working like somebody’s old horse . . . killing himself . . . and you – you give it all away in a day.”

Mama is almost blaming Walter in a way for the death of her husband. All of these emotions she has pent up about her husband are released and she is triggered by the loss of his money. Hansberry focuses more on the issue of the misfortune of the Younger family rather than the $6,500 Willy Harris took. Misfortune happens to be another theme in the story for example the $10,000 insurance check. Mama went and bought her family a new home in Clybourne Park and as soon as things seem to be getting better there is always some kind of setback.  

What other factors rather than selfishness do you think led Walter into giving away the $6,500 and putting it entirely into the alcohol business? What do you think will happen between the Younger family and do you think there will be any relationships permanently ruined? If so, between who and why?

In the story A Raisin in the Sun, the family has been getting better. Walter seems to be more joyful to be around and actually took Ruth to the movies and they had a delightful walk through the snow and mama got some cool gifts! But, there has been some secrets that have been hidden and unfortunately, in Act II scene III, Walter and Ruth are hiding both of the secrets and also, lying.

On page 80, (right after Lindner leaves) mama asks Ruth and Walter what the man wanted and this is their response:

Mama: (Innocently) Who?

Beneatha: The welcoming committee. They said they’re sure going to be glad to see you when you get out there.

Walter: (Devilishly) Yeah, they said they can’t hardly wait to see your face. (Laughter)

Mama: (Sensing their factiousness) What is the matter with you all?

Walter: Ain’t nothing the matter with us. We just telling you ’bout the gentlemen that came to see you this afternoon. From the Clybourne Park Improvement Association.

Mama: What he want?

Ruth: To welcome you, honey!

As you can see, Walter and Ruth were not the only liars here. But, I can see why they did it. Mama bought them a house and was trying to better her and family by putting them in a better neighborhood. If Mama were to find out the real reason why Lindner was there, it would break her heart and would probably blame herself for putting her family (in what seems to be) a worse position.

After this whole fiasco, Bobo came and rang the doorbell while the family was passing Mama her gifts. Come to find out, Willy never met Bobo at the train station to head to Springfield. He has been missing for six hours with no phone calls, sightings, or contact with him. This stirs the pot for Walter because the family found out that he had used his sisters college money for his new liquor business he wants to start. He gave Willy and Bobo the money for the business, hence their (almost) train ride to Springfield and they lost the money.

To me, this is plain selfishness. I understand his reasoning to start a business and to make more money for his family. But, that is his sisters education and he threw it down the drain. If he were to sit them down, talk, and maybe work something out then I see that as being reasonable. But, selfishness took the win on this one.

Another common theme I have seen throughout this story thus far especially this scene) is, inconsistency. Walter and the family have been up, down, sideways, and backwards and they cannot seem to stay on the same page at all. As much as I want to see everything start to come together, I am getting this feeling that it will not be happening anytime soon.

Will Mama find out about why Lindner visited? Do you think Willy stole the money from Walter and Bobo?

Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun, has so far has shown a great number of themes already, even though we have only read up until the end of Act II, scene i. After having read the introduction (and having never read A Raisin in the Sun before) I expected to read about a family that will stop at nothing to be recognized and to be able to do whatever they wanted to do without being oppressed and have their internal fires extinguished, but so far the only character that has shown these qualities is Beneatha. Through her sarcastic, strong, independent character Beneatha is showing a woman who desperately wants to be something in a world that expects her to be nothing. Probably one of the most critical and cynical character’s towards Beneatha is her brother, Walter. Walter seems to have a sort of hostility towards his sister and her dreams of becoming a doctor. Could his hostility stem from jealousy? Jealousy that Beneatha is determined and on track to becoming successful, while he is stuck serving and chauffeuring men around or is he just looking out for her by trying to prepare her for failure?

Two reoccurring themes that immediately took my notice in Act II, scene i were having dreams/ambitions and the subject of money. The theme of dreams is present in almost every character, especially Beneatha. Beneatha has dreams of becoming a successful doctor and is pursuing such by going to college and preparing for medical school. This dream of which is constantly criticized by her brother, Walter. An important dream that Beneatha had in Act II, scene i is to not be an assimilationist. She shows how just anti-assimilationist she truly strives to be on page 80,

“(Beneatha looks at him and slowly, ceremoniously lifts her hands and pulls off the headdress. Her hair is close-cropped and unstraightened. GEORGE freezes mid-sentence and Ruth’s eyes all but fan out of her head)

GEORGE. What in the name of—

RUTH. (Touching Beneatha’s hair). Girl, you done lost your natural mind!? Look at your hair!

GEORGE. What have you done to your head—I mean your hair!

BENEATHA. Nothing—except cut it off.” (2.1.8-18).

Beneatha in an act of rebellion cuts her hair and leaves it natural, this act is directly against the idea that black women should try to assimilate and be like a white woman in every way possible including their hair. Even now in 2019, black women are still shamed for their natural hair, people call it “nappy” just as Ruth did. All black women just as Beneatha so boldly displayed, should be able to be themselves whether that means natural hair or not.

Another character that has dreams of being successful is Walter. Not only does the theme of dreams occur within his character, but also the second them I would like to discuss and that is, money. Walter is seemingly obsessed with the matter of money in Act II, scene i, he brings up Mama’s insurance check almost every chance he gets. He seems the most excited, but the money does not even belong to him (although he would like to think so). He dreams of opening up a liquor store with one of his friends to make more money and become successful for his family. Although Walter seems to have good intentions, he tends to take his frustrations out on his family, especially Ruth. Walter has been unhappy lately with his life and everyone has noticed, he is excited about the check coming in hopes that Mama would help him in his business, come to find out Mama has other plans. Another person not actually obsessed with money, has a large amount of responsibility with it is Mama. The theme of money is especially prevalent towards the end of the scene, when the check finally comes and Mama has to make some big decisions. Come to find out at the end, Mama decided to but her family a house with the check.

The big questions I had at the end of this scene that I think that you guys should think about are: Is Walter justified in his anger towards his mother for buying a house with the check? And: Are Ruth and Walter’s marital problems to be blamed on money or is there something deeper within Walter going on? If so, what do you think that is?

Before starting A Raisin in The Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, I knew nothing about this play. I didn’t read the back of the book, I didn’t hear anyone talk about it, I had no context to the book other than the few shorts words we had in class. The initial thought I had when I opened the book and saw the picture was this- there is a colored family, all surrounded by an older woman, the family didn’t seem poor nor wealthy, they just seemed to be an average middle-class family. The picture was in black and white, so the time period must have been before colored pictures. On the next page it says, To Mama: In gratitude for the dream. This statement implies that the book is to a character named Mama and there is an appreciative factor towards her. From this statement, we already feel a sense of joy towards Mama. Within the next couple pages is the poem by Langston Hughes. After reading the poem a couple of times out loud, it is easy to understand that the poem foreshadows a problem with an obstacle. However deeper within the poem, the reader will understand more to the story. The second line says, “Does it dry up” …into the next line that says, “Like a raisin in the sun”, in these two sentences the poem is already starting off at a low point because usually a grape would turn into a raisin in the sun, but what would a raisin turn into in the sun? The grape is the full-bodied, healthy raisin but a raisin is a shriveled up, dehydrated grape. These lines create a feeling that once your already so low what is there to happen, will you move on and “explode” like at the end of the poem or will you just die into nothing. So, the tone at the start of the play is already at a solemn sort of grim stage, but there also is a factor of mysteriousness as to what will happen.

Through Act I, most of the characters are introduced. Each character has unique qualities that challenge each other’s thoughts and lives. What I found interesting was the contrasting personalities of Beneatha (or Bennie) and her mother Lena (aka Mama). The two characters are constantly having different view points on a matter. It seems as if Lorraine Hansberry had created a character to challenge the perspectives of Mama. When Bennie is introduced on the seventeenth page of the book, she is described as more modern and educated then the rest of the family. She has wild ambitions and is intended on accomplishing them. When reading through the scenes with Bennie and Mama, you feel a sort of similarity between them in that they both have or had large ambitions. However, Mama is just more realistic in the thought process of her goals. Bennie almost has a child-like personality because of the dreams she aspires to accomplish, even though she is twenty years old. Bennie has many dreams she wants to accomplish while Mama just wants to have a good life for her and her family. Lorraine Hansberry wrote the book as if to be seen as Bennie was Mama when Mama was Bennies age. Bennie wants to be able to express herself in new ways such as playing the guitar. Since the time period is around the 1950s/1960s, it is during the time period right after the famous case of Board vs Education naming it unconstitutional for students to be separated in school by the color of their skin. So, it is evident that this has influence Bennie to be whoever she wants to be and express herself in anyways she wants. Mama sadly did not have that right like Bennie does, so Mama somewhat understands her desire to play the guitar. There is a mutual loving relationship between the two, but at the same time Beneatha constantly challenges the authority of Mama.

For the next Act in the Raisin in the Sun, I ask myself: Will Beneatha be able to fully accomplish one of her dreams in her life, or will she end up like Mama- not being able to successfully be what she wants to be? I also ask myself: How will Mama wisely use her money?

Hi everyone! My name is Ariana but I go by Ana. I am from Rochester, New York and am a Junior here at SUNY Cortland. I am a Business Economics major with a computer applications minor. Some of my favorite hobbies are dancing, listening to music, and exploring new places. This summer I am planning on traveling to Italy with a couple of my friends. We plan to stay for a couple of weeks which will be so fun! Thanks for reading my blog!!!

Hi guys! I signed up on Wednesday evening due to some transfer issues so I’m late to the party. I’m an English major, a Jersey girl, and vegan (yes, I like to talk about it a lot and I would love to answer any questions or be your mentor). I surf, my favorite show is The Walking Dead and my dream job was to be a paleontologist. I chose the next best thing – to be a writer – so that I could write about dinosaurs because I don’t have the credentials to excavate or study them. I love to read non-fiction and textbooks in general because knowledge is truly power.