Parent-Child Conflict in Lorraine Hansberry'S Play a Raisin in The Sun

Conflict between a parent (or parental figure) and his or her child is inevitable. It is impossible that these two people will always see eye-to-eye when faced with life-changing decisions. Because of this, tensions often arise and threaten to destroy the bond only a family can share. In the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, differences in dreams and hopes for the future strain the relationship between Lena Younger and her son Walter.

The source of Lena and Walter’s conflict lies not only in their disagreement in dreams, but also in their means to achieve these goals. When his father’s ten thousand dollar life insurance check arrives in the mail, Walter’s obsession with the American dream becomes evident, Although his mother finds the selling of alcohol sinful, Walter sets his sights on Investing in a liquor store with a questionable business partner. Walter is not alone in his quest for the American dream. Lena strives to move the family out of their cramped apartment and into a house of their own. While Lena stays true to her morals, Walter ignores his and those of his family, Lena eventually decides to spend a portion of the insurance money on a house in the all white neighborhood of Clybourne Park. She believes she is doing the right thing, hoping the new house will stop the family from falling apart. Walter is deeply hurt by his mother’s decision, telling her, “So you butchered up a dream of mine-you-who always talking ’bout your children’s dreams…” Although Lena is only doing what she believes is best for her family, Walter interprets her actions as a selfish betrayal.

Lena’s expectations of her son to be the man his father was also cause conflict between the two. Lena is angered by Walter’s wife Ruth’s decision to put down a down payment on an abortion procedure. When Walter learns of this, he can do nothing but stand in silence. Lena waits for Walter to assert his authority in the family and refuse his wife’s wish for an abortion. Walter is still left speechless, leading Lena to call him a disgrace to (his) father’s memory.” Walter’s ambition for wealth lead to a lack of leadership and dedication to his family. His failure to become a true authority figure in the household drives his mother to lose faith in his business ventures.

The conflict between Lena and Walter contributes to the meaning of the Hansberry’s work because it points out important themes in the play. Lena’s disagreement with her son on how to best spend the insurance money shows how a parent can reluctantly prevent or impede progress toward their child’s dreams. Though Walter is upset with his mother’s decision to buy the house in Clybourne Park, Lena is only doing what she believes is best for her son. Lena’s longing for her son to be the man Big Walter was shows expectations and legacies within a family, Walter is constantly being compared to his father, not being judged as an individual.

The conflict between Lena and Walter is one many families can relate to. One’s dreams often have to be compromised in order to fulfill the dreams of those he or she care for Expectations to live up to the legacy of another family member can lead to a loss of identity. Lena and Walter’s handling of their conflicts can help one look deeper into his or her own and understand the other point of view in the argument.

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