Comparing A Streetcar Named Desire And A Raisin In The Sun

In the plays A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams and A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, two individual families are faced with family conflict. Each family struggles with the issues of money, marital issues, gender roles, and trying to resolve these issues. While both families are from different areas they both undergo similar situations while they try to achieve the “American dream”. A Streetcar Named Desire and A Raisin in the Sun illustrate how family conflict including money, marital issues, and gender affect the families negatively.

The first issue that causes the family conflict is money. In a Streetcar Named Desire, Stanley, Blanche, and Stella struggle with the issue of money and whether or not to believe if Blanche

is telling the truth about the lost estate. The first example of this is Stanley rummaging through Blanche’s trunk as he tries to find financial evidence of her losing the estate and informing her that “There is such a thing in the state of Louisiana as the Napoleonic code, according to which whatever belongs to my wife is also mine- and vice versa.” (1830) He becomes so absorbed into receiving his share of the inheritance that his persistence turns into harassment. Stanley begins to complain that Blanche is “swindling them”. “…I’m swindled too. And I don’t like to be swindled”, “Then where’s the money if the place was sold?” (1827) Stanley continuously brings up the matter of the Napoleonic code when it comes to his share of the estate. “ You see, under the Napoleonic code, a man has to take an interest in his wife’s affairs…” (1831) Although Stanley takes great interest in Stella; his interest turns into obsession because of the money issues. (Explain how it becomes an obsession)
In A Raisin in the Sun the Youngers family tries to work through the dilemma of what the use of the check should be. Each member of the family has something in mind but they cannot seem to agree on any of the ideas. Walter, Ruth, and Beneatha argue about the check coming and what its purpose should be. Walter: “You know the check is coming tomorrow?” Beneatha: “The money belongs to Mama, Walter, and it’s for her to decide how she wants to use it, I don’t care if she wants to buy a house or a rocket ship or just nail it up somewhere and look at it. It’s hers. Not ours- hers.” The family’s disagreement on the use for the check continues until Mama makes up her mind that she is going to use the money to purchase a house.
Walter’s friend runs away with the money that was to be used for their new business and Walter is left to acknowledge the poor decision he has made.
Walter: “Gone, what you mean Willy is gone? Gone where? You mean he went by himself. You mean he went off to Springfield by himself – to take care of getting the license – (Turns and looks anxious at Ruth) You mean maybe he didn’t want too many people in on the business down there? (Looks to Ruth again, as before) You know Willy got his own ways. (Looks back at Bobo) Maybe you was late yesterday and he went on down there without you. Maybe – maybe – he’s been callin’ you at home tryin’ to tell you what happened or something. Maybe – maybe – he just got sick. He’s somewhere – he’s got to be somewhere. We just got to find him – me and you got to find him. (Grabs Bobo senselessly by the collar and starts to shake him) We got to! (2.3.180)
Once Mama chooses to use the money to buy her family a new home, not all of the family agrees on the decision, but some are thankful. Mama: "Them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. I did the best I could (2.i).
(Topic sentence describing both plays) The second issue that causes family conflict are marital issues. Stanley and Stella have multiple marital issues in their relationship, and when Blanche moves in with them the tension only increases. Stanley becomes drunk during a game of poker and hits Stella. He then calls for her late at night until she returns home to him. STELLA- “Drunk – drunk – animal thing, you!” [Stanley charges after Stella.] STELLA “You lay your hands on me and I’ll – [She backs out of sight. He advances and disappears. There is the sound of a blow. Stella cries out.] (3.165-8) Stella directs Stanley to go wash his hands and help her clear the table. Stanley becomes angry with Stella’s instructions and throws a plate on the floor. He then grabs her arm and orders her to never speak that way to him again. He continues to yell insults at her until she leaves the apartment crying. Stella: “Your face and your fingers are disgustingly greasy. Go wash up and then help me clear the table.” Stanley: “That’s how I clear the table! Don’t ever talk that way to me!” Stanley wants all of Stella’s attention and affections, so throughout the entire story he is fighting Blanche for Stella. “Stella has embraced him with both arms, fiercely, and full in the view of Blanche. He laughs and clasps her head to him. Over her head he grins through the curtains at Blanche.” (4.126)
Walter and Ruth’s marriage appears to be deteriorating with the lack of communication and understanding.

Walter believes that Ruth does not understand him or support his dreams, and Ruth is afraid to tell Walter the news of her pregnancy. Walter and Ruth argue because Walter believes that Ruth does not understand him and support his dreams and goals. During breakfast one morning Walter tries to discuss his hopes and dreams with Ruth, but Ruth shuts him down and tells him to “eat his eggs”. Walter: ”That is just what is wrong with the colored woman in this world…Don’t understand about building their men up and making ‘em feel like they somebody. Like they can do something.”(1.1.91) Ruth tries to talk to Walter on multiple occasions but they usually just end up arguing instead. Ruth:”Oh, let him go on out and drink himself to death! He makes me sick to my stomach!” Walter: “And you turn mine too baby!” Ruth is worried that the news of her pregnancy will overwhelm Walter and considers having an abortion to avoid further conflict with her husband. Mama: “Son- do you know your wife is expecting another baby? I think Ruth is thinking ‘bout getting rid of that child. “Walter: “No-no- Ruth wouldn’t do that.” Walter, not even aware of his wife’s physical state, is shocked by the news from his mother about his wife’s decision instead of being financially

overwhelmed.
The third issue that causes family conflict is gender roles.

Stanley’s biggest issue with Stella and Blanche is that they always “undermine” him. He struggles to remain in control and appear as the head of their household as Blanche encourages Stella to stand her ground with Stanley. Stanley hitting and yelling at Stella is him showing dominance and his “masculinity”. Stanley is always trying to portray an image of masculinity and control whether it is directed at Stella or Blanche. But with Blanche constantly insulting him and undermining his authority he has to strive even harder to show dominance. As the story progresses Stanley becomes more frustrated with Stella and becomes aggressive with her in order to appear in control of the situation. Stella: ”…You come out with me while Blanche is getting dressed.” Stanley: ”Since when do you give me orders?” (2.70-1) Once Mitch discovers that Blanche is not the pure woman she made herself out to be, he feels entitled to having the same benefits other men have had with her. When Blanche turns down his advances, he becomes angry with her and tries to force her to have sex with him. Blanche becomes scared and threatens to expose him by opening the window and screaming “fire!” until he runs out of the apartment. Blanche: “...What do you want?” Mitch: “What I been missing all summer.” Blanche: ”Then marry me, Mitch!” Mitch: “I don’t think I want to marry you anymore.” Blanche: ”No?” Mitch: ”You’re not clean enough to bring in the

house with my mother.” Blanche: ”Go away, then. Get out of here quick before I start screaming fire!” Blanche expecting Mitch to want her as his wife is caught off guard by his act of aggression and instead of submitting to his advances she acts out in fear. Stanley raping Blanche is him trying to show dominance over her. Towards the end of the play, Stanley confronts Blanche on her deceitfulness. Blanche panics during the confrontation and tries to send a telegram for help, but Stanley barges into the room and startles her. When Blanche tries to leave Stanley blocks her path and starts to threaten her with sexual advances. Blanche tries to escape him but he overpowers her and rapes her. Stanley: “Oh! So you want some roughhouse! All right, let’s have some roughhouse! Tiger-tiger! Drop the bottle-top! We’ve had this date with each other from the beginning!”
Within The Raisin in The Sun gender roles become a big conflict for the family as they try to go after their goals and continue to shut each other down. Beneatha’s family does not fully support her interest in becoming a female doctor. This is an evident display of sexism within the story as women are still dismissed as being the weaker of the sexes. Walter: “I’m interested in you. Something wrong with that? Aint many girls who decide-“ Walter and Beneatha: “to be a doctor.” Walter: “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people – then go be a nurse like other women – or just get married and be quiet. (1.1.125) Walter shows dominance over Ruth when he gives Travis money after Ruth tells Travis no. Walter: “In fact, here’s another fifty cents… Buy yourself some fruit today- or take a taxicab home or something!” Ruth’s mother in law does not believe that she is capable of taking caring of the family the way that she herself could. Lena shows dominance over Ruth when she questions her ability to care for Travis and Walter Jr. Mama: “…I just noticed all last week he had cold cereal, and when it starts getting chilly in the fall a child ought to have some hot grits or something when he goes out in the cold-“
Throughout both plays the families struggle with money, marital issues, and gender roles whilst trying to achieve the “American Dream”. These stories demonstrate the emotional trials that families go through while trying to live together and achieve their individual goals. While the families are constantly living in turmoil during the story whether it relates to money, gender roles, or marital issues, they find a way to resolve their problems whether the ending is or is not happily ever after for all of them.