A Raisin In The Sun Betrayal Essay

Often times authors write plays which convey to how one has is betrayed, lied to and/or been guilty of betraying their own morals. In the play A Raisin In The Sun, author Lorraine Hansberry writes about an African American family living on the South side of Chicago during the 1950’s who face prejudice and economic struggles. The family faces several struggle of guilt, betrayal and the willingness to go against their own morals as they try to figure out a way to spend the insurance money that Mama received from the passing of her husband.
In this play, Walter Lee is one of the main characters and he feels betrayed the most by his own family. Walter Lee has a dream of one day owning a liquor store, but in order for his dream to come true, he needs the $10,00 for the investment. Walter Lee feels that he can accomplish his goal of owning the liquor store one day, but he feels betrayed when Ruth his wife, Beneatha his sister and his own mom don’t even support his dream. He hopes for their support and more importantly their respect. As his efforts to convince Mama about the money fail, he starts to get very aggravated and his wife, Ruth tries to knock some sense into him, but once she tells him “Walter– ain’t you with nobody!” Walter then responds violently saying “No! ‘Cause

ain’t nobody with me! Not even my own mother.”(Scene 2 Act 1 lines 86-7). This line reveals how alone, Walter feels with no one's support.
Pregnant mothers tend to go through situations where they’re financially unable to care for another child, therefore they’re willing to sacrifice other lives to secure the future of their existing family.

As Ruth is well aware of her pregnancy, she is also well aware of their current living situation, she knows that if she has the baby there will be no place to put him/her. So she is willing to go against her morals and abort the child, as Mama finds this out she tells her“When the world gets ugly enough – a woman will do anything for her family. The part that’s already living.” ( act 1 scene 2, line 235)Mama understands the mindset she has in place but she still disagrees with

her.
As the families' challenges start to build up on them, Mama then decides to make a decision and put a down payment on a house so Ruth won’t abort the baby. The family then finds out the house was in an all white neighborhood where blacks were uninvited. Not only was that a problem but Walters desperation for money grew due to the fact that he accidentally gave away $6,500 to Bobo who ran off with it. So as Walter Lee calls Mr.Linder ( member of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association. He offers the Youngers a deal to reconsider moving into his neighborhood) back to his apartment Mama then starts to become very disappointed and betrayed as her sons desperation got to a point where he betrayed their family's honor. As Mama’s grandson Travis is about to leave the room, she tells him “No Travis, you stay right here. And you make him understand what you doing Walter Lee. You teach him good. Like Willy Harris taught you. You show where our 5 generations done come to. Go ahead son, Go ahead” ( Act 2, Scene 3) she
wants Walter Lee’s son there because she is hoping his presence will affect his final decision.
As can be seen the Younger family went through challenges where one felt betrayed or one another or went against their morals. These struggles that families go through oftentimes bring them closer together or further apart. In this case the Younger family was brought closer together as Walter Lee finally felt like he had everyone’s respect and support. Mama made it possible for him to feel this way since she allowed him to make the final decision