Raisin in the Sun Characters

Mama, the head of the family in A Raisin in the Sun, reminds readers of a typical, caring mother who wants to fulfill the needs of her loved ones in any way possible. She strives to keep the family bundled up together in their small apartment. She understands that they are in poverty and, while this may be true, she continues to try and do her part in order for her household to function like a normal family.

When she is in the process of receiving a check from the insurance company for the death of her husband, she has ideas to spend it not for her use, but for the use of the whole family. “Some of it got to be put away for Beneatha and her schooling' - and ain't nothing going to touch that part of it. Nothing. Been thinking that we maybe could meet the notes on a a little old two-story somewhere, with a yard where Travis could play in the summertime, if we use part of the insurance for a down payment and everybody kind of pitch in. I could maybe take on a little day work again, few days a week -“ (Hansberry, 44). In this quote, Mama talks to Ruth about her plans for her money. Furthermore, Mama only talks about the needs of others. This shows that Mama is a righteous, kind person.

Not only Mama is a respectful, understandable mother, but she is also burdened with the task of keeping the other members of her family in line. She believes that she is still the head of this house, even when her children are in their 20s and 30s. She rightfully forces them to follow the rules of her house, and punishes them if they do not do so accordingly. “Now - you say after me, in my mother's house there is still God. In my mother's house there is still God” (Hansberry, 51). Before saying this quote, Beaneatha was wrongly turning against God, one of the many things Mama attempted to infuse her children with when they were younger. Mama slaps her to make her stop arguing, then forces her to understand that God will always be believed in as long as they are living in Mama's house. In conclusion, Mama is probably one of the most hard-working people in her family; however, she does not show it physically, but mentally. The family needs Mama to survive, especially with their living situation. If she were to die, it would be an emotional blow to everyone around her.