A Raisin In The Sun Lena Younger Character Analysis

Nine out of every ten people never manage to accomplish their dreams, however this fact does not manage to stop many people from trying. Everyone acquires different methods in an effort to make their dreams a reality, and everyone will, at some point, discover that some methods are more effective than others. This is especially true for many characters in Lorraine Hansberry’s, A Raisin in the Sun, shown through the characters endeavors to achieve their goals. In the play, the Youngers are an African American family who are living in poverty in the United States. The majority of the family members have aspirations for the future and their own idea of the American Dream. Two of these family members include Beneatha Younger, and her mother, Lena,

She is depicted as a very persistent woman and is shown to never give up despite anything that may get in her way. This pronounced quality is portrayed through Mama’s intensive care for her potted plant. Although the plant is wilting, she has not given up on caring for it. One morning while she is watering it, she says, “Lord, if this little old plant don’t get more sun than it’s been getting it ain’t never going to see Spring again” (Hansberry 28). Even though Lena is addressing the fact that the plant is wilted and dying, she still makes an effort to keep it alive by watering it. She is aware that the plant needs more care to help it thrive and she gives it just that despite the fact that all hope seems lost. Mama treats this plant in the same manner that she treats her dreams. Mama hopes to buy a larger house for her whole family to live in so they are able to live their lives more comfortably. When she does eventually purchase the house, it happens to be located in the white neighborhood of Clybourne Park. When the point is brought up to her that no colored people are living in that neighborhood, she replies by saying, “Well, I guess there’s going to be some now” (Hansberry 81). Although Lena is aware that this could end up being a setback, she doesn’t allow this to get in her way. Rather than give up on her dream for this reason, she continues to pursue it and refuses to give up no matter what

Lena’s persistence and Beneatha’s independence are extremely useful for them to achieve what they have been aiming to do in their lives. From both character’s successes and failures in their attempts, it is clear to see that anyone who wishes to achieve their dreams cannot expect for that to happen if they do not do anything in an effort to make it happen. Everyone must work towards their goals if they wish to accomplish them and learn to never give up despite any obstacles that come their way. In the end, it is not about the dream itself, but what can be done to ensure that dream becomes a