Gender Roles In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun “Act 2, Scene Two” from pages 108-109, Walter has a conversation with his son Travis about his big plans for their future. In Walter’s monologue towards the end of the scene, he paints a picture of an ideal future where his “business transaction” (Hanberry 108) will solve all their problems. In doing so, Walter assigns roles to each of his family members that reflect the gender of each individual. Gender roles are particularly prominent throughout the play. I argue that the play places an emphasis on the gender role that a man should be the primary provided for his family and as a result of this Walter goes out of his way to try and change his status within his family. Walter does not consider himself

Just tell me, what it is you want to be - and you’ll be it… Whatever you want to be - Yessir!”(Hansberry 109). Walter shows through this section that he will be supportive of Travis’ decision to go to college. He really wants Travis to study at the best institutions in the United States and he will see that it happens. In his fantasy, Walter is wealthy and could afford to pay for an education at America’s finest higher education establishments. Not only is Walter supportive of Travis’ educational future, but also of Travis’ occupational future. So if Travis wanted to become a doctor, Walter would be encouraging of that. This side of Walter is completely in contrast to the side of him that mocks Beneatha for wanting to pursue a higher education and becoming a doctor. While Travis has the complete support of Walter, Beneatha is discouraged by Walter because the money that could go towards her education would be better off given to Walter as investment money. So the conclusion here is, Walter believes in education, but he doesn’t not think education is valuable for women. Men are supposed to be educated, but it is not important whether or not women are educated. Walter’s attitude towards Travis’ education versus Beneatha’s education dictates the presence of gender

These woman in Walter’s life has a strong presence and give Walter a reality check when he needs it. When Walter’s father passed away, Mama assumed head of the house and kept the family together. This proves that women can be in charge of and take care of the entire family. Walter’s belief that men should be in control of the household is debunked by Mama and her status in their family. Beneath, as the outspoken woman she is, argues with her brother on the topic of her education and her career. While Walter believes that she should just become a nurse like most women do, Beneatha argues that even though she is female, she can be just as good a doctor as any man could. She wants to go to medical school and further develop her education. This tells Walter that women can be more than just an obedient