Let's Change the Status

Let’s Change the Status By: CG

A Raisin in the Sun By: Lorraine Hansberry

The Youngers, a poor African-American family trying to leave a “Hellhole”.

That “hellhole” being the ghettos of Chicago, the south side.

And all round only African Americans, not being able to leave. Feeling trapped in Hell.

Mama the head of the household about to become 10,000 dollars richer.

Walter wanting a brighter future, for his wife Ruth and his son Travis.

Trying to invest in a liquor store?

Beneatha dreaming of becoming a doctor, to piece people back together.

What will Mama do? For her son Walter? For Beneatha? For Travis? For Ruth?

Especially for Ruth, expecting a baby. With no place to care for it?

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

There no space, no money, she has to get rid of it.

Mama, being old-fashioned, the leader of the household. The Matriarchy of the Youngers.

Telling Walter to stop her, even if it is her body and her choice.

Walter doesn't care, he only cares about the 10 grand his father left.

To build a life for his family.

To invest that money in a liquor store.

Mama using some of that money to buy the house of her dreams. The house to get out of Hell.

Leaving the rest of the money in the hands of her son, that later ruined their lives.

Just like the investment went down, so did the Youngers.

The white man Linder offering to buy the house to keep the peace.

Hoping the Youngers will stay in hell. Walter almost accepting the devil's trap.

But their pride was too big, it was enough.

Moving out and about, hoping for a better future.

Hell will just be a memory, now they’re moving up.

And no one can stop them. Not money, not anything.

Act 1, Scene 2 MAMA Son—do you know your wife is expecting another baby? (WALTER stands, stunned, and absorbs what his mother has said) That’s what she wanted to talk to you about, (WALTER sinks down into a chair) This ain’t for me to be telling—but you ought to know. (She waits) I think Ruth is thinking ’bout getting rid of that child.

WALTER (Slowly understanding) No—no—Ruth wouldn’t do that.

MAMA When the world gets ugly enough—a woman will do anything for her family. The part that’s already living.

Chorus: Mama, you as a woman and a mother should know. If Ruth wants to get rid of that child, you should support her not question her.

WALTER You don’t know Ruth, Mama, if you think she would do that. (RUTH opens the bedroom door and stands there a little limp) RUTH (Beaten) Yes I would too, Walter. (Pause) I gave her a five-dollar down payment. (There is total silence as the man stares at his wife and the mother stares at her son) Chorus: Talk to her Walter, don’t stare. Ask her what she wants, and help her with the five. Be a respectable man, and respect her body because she will be the one with the baby for 9 hard months.

MAMA (Presently) Well – (Tightly) Well — son, I’m waiting to hear you say something … (She waits) I’m waiting to hear how you be your father’s son. Be the man he was … (Pause. The silence shouts) Your wife say she going to destroy your child. And I’m waiting to hear you talk like him and say we a people who give children life, not who destroys them—(She rises) I’m waiting to see you stand up and look like your daddy and say we done give up one baby to poverty and that we ain’t going to give up nary another one … I’m waiting.

Chorus: Mama! What are you doing? “She going to destroy your child”? This is her child too, don’t single the woman who carries the child. He can give his opinion but he cannot change what she wants. It is her body, her choice.

WALTER Ruth— (He can say nothing) MAMA If you a son of mine, tell her! (WALTER picks up his keys and his coat and walks out.

She continues, bitterly) You … you are a disgrace to your father’s memory.

Chorus: Disgrace because he didn’t ask her how she was feeling or asking what he can do to help. Walter would be a true disgrace telling her what to do with the unborn child knowing he isn’t carrying or going through the pain of delivering it to this world.

Works Cited Friedman, Abeles. (1959). A Raisin in the Sun. Hansberry, Lorraine. ​Raisin in the Sun.​ S.I., Benediction Books, 2016.