Unit 2. post 3

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. Act two, scene two and three.

Question 12 addresses how many characters go through point of no return decisions. Mama faces her own point of no return decisions in her life. Many of the decisions are created by the decision to put off dreams. The biggest point no return for Mama was her decision to sacrifice all of her insurance money to put a down payment on a new house for all of her family. That is a point of no return because it is an immense expense and sacrifice that cannot be taken back. Ruth is thinking about making a no returns decision by deciding whether or not to abort her child. Mama is opposed to this because she lost a child when she was younger and always wanted to fulfill her dream of having another child.

Question 10 asks for a character who is dynamic character. I believe that the most dynamic character is Beneatha. In the beginning she seems to only care about her own dream of becoming a doctor and avoiding marriage, especially to George. However, halfway through the play, Beneatha discovers her african heritage, much like Dee from Everyday Use. She loses part of her drive to achieve because she focuses on her expansion of cultural immersion.

Question 9 asks how characters might feel trapped by those who oppose their dreams. I feel like the appearance of Mr. Lindner shows how the Youngers are trapped by their ethnicity. They are trapped because they are seen as unequal and are discriminated against. While they refuse to accept the buyout that was offered, it upsets the Youngers that they will never rise above what they are seen as. In a sense, they are trapped by their ethnicity.

"Claybourne Park? Mama, there ain't no colored people living in Claybourne Park" (Hansberry, 93).