There has been many themes that I have noticed not only in Act II of A Raisin in the Sun, but throughout the whole text. One theme that has really stuck out to me though, is that many people in the text live off of each others approval in the Younger family.
Beneatha is an extremely strong and powerful woman. Although she has no problem making decisions on her own, getting the approval from her mama means absolutely everything to her. In the text during Act II, Beneatha is trying to enjoy her time with George. As George wants to do more than just talk, we see that Beneatha wants to only communicate in interesting conversations with him. Not anything more than that. Later on as George storms off, Beneatha takes a moment to explain to her mom that George is a “fool”. Mama then says “Well- I guess you better not waste your time with no fools” (98). Beneatha continues on with showing she is thankful and grateful but Mama is then confused why. Beneatha then states “For understanding me this time” (98). Just with something that small, Beneatha expresses with a very limited amount of words, how thankful she is for how her mom reacted. That for once her mom agreed with her and believed that she was making the right choice and assumption about her relationship with George.
Walter seems to struggle with how to love his life and how to have self confidence. How the cards have been dealt to him, do you blame him? Not only does he want to own a liquor store and make money, but he truly wants (and NEEDS) someone to believe in him and what he can do to make the life for his family members a more enjoyable life to live. Think about the way he reacted when George was at the house while he was drunk. Walter had some ideas to share with George and George’s dad (and seemed to be very excited about it), but George answered sarcastically like it didn’t matter. He at that point wanted someone to believe in him. Later on in Act II, (as read by everyone) we now know that Mama is going to give some of the money she has to Walter for him to do what he wants with it and what he thinks is best for the family. What was his reaction to this? “(stares at the money) You trust me like that, Mama?” (107). Just in that sentence it was clear that it was not the money he was concerned about (at that point), but it’s him knowing that his mom believes in him. Her approval for him to do something and make changes for his family was now showing the faith she had in him.
There has been so many themes that have caught my attention throughout A Raisin in the Sun. As shown, one that has really stood out to me is that the people who are apart of the Younger family really like the approval and support from other people. Not just that, but for their family members to believe and have faith in them.
Some questions to think about:
What is another time in the story where someone believed in another and it meant the world to them?
If Walter makes something good come out of the money for his family, is his mom believing him in a big part of why it happened? Why or why not?
Megan,
I totally agree that the younger family is very concerned with the approval of others, whether it be from fellow members of the family or outsiders. A similar example of this behavior is when Asagai comments on Ruth’s hair. When he expresses his disdain for the style, (61-62) Beneatha quickly cuts it short and begins wearing it in its natural state. Asagai’s opinion means the world to Beneatha because she admires him. Perhaps, the Youngers are approval seeking because they love each other. They want to better themselves for one another out of love, this is why I believe that if Walter does something positive with the money that benefits the family, it will be because his mother had faith in him. When Walter first learns that Mama invested the money in a home and not his dream, Walter becomes depressed. He stops going to work and he expresses a cold indifference to the world around him. After Mama gives him some of the money, and assures him that she trusts him, Walter says that he will not drink anymore, and suddenly becomes filled with optimism for the future. Mama’s approval fuels Walter’s will to prosper.
I have also noticed this theme throughout the play! In Act 2 Scene 1, Walter unleashes his frustration at Ruth. He exclaims that he feels alone and that he has no support from anyone, not even his mother (85). Walter is upset because he has all these dreams of making money so his family could have a better life, but no one shares his dreams. I think this is why when Mama gives him some money and the title of head of the household, he’s shocked and touched (107). After receiving the loving support of his mother, Walter informs his son that we will never be drunk again. He shares his vision of what their life will be like in 7 years with Travis when he is 17 years old. Beaming with hope and the ability to give his son a life worth living, Walter promises Travis a wonderful education at any university he chooses for a better life of his own someday (108).
You also have to put into consideration the time period the story is taking place in. This was before the time of social media, people today use social media as a form of validation and approval. In the 50’s you weren’t trying to impress your followers, you just wanted approval from your friends, family, and neighbors. A great example of this is when Mrs. Johnson is visiting and Bennie was very short with her, which in todays day and age probably wouldn’t have been a huge deal, however Mrs. Johnson got offended and said “(she’s) getting so she don’t have much to say to anybody.” (102) Mamma quickly defended her, saying she was just on her way to the bathroom. Mamma doesn’t want people to think her kids are rude, even if its someone they’re not too fond of.
Megan,
I agree with you that it is important for Mama’s children to have her support and approval. On Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, having Mama’s approval is important for her children’s esteem needs and their love and belongingness needs. These needs come after only our basic biological and safety needs. But I think that gaining Mama’s approval means more to them considering that Mama also is the only one who can provide them with financial support. Because Mama disagrees with Walter’s aspirations of opening a liquor store, he has no way of pursuing that dream. If Mama didn’t want Beneatha to become a doctor, she wouldn’t have the financial support she needs, no matter how much she believes in herself. I agree with you that “getting the approval from her mama means everything to her”, because if she didn’t have mama’s approval, she wouldn’t be able to put herself through medical school, just like Walter wasn’t originally able to pursue his dreams of opening the liquor store.
Megan,
I agree with you about Walter admiring his mother. I never realized it until I read your post. However, even though Walter admired Mama’s new found faith in him, that does not mean that Walter will succeed. Opening the liquor store may not work out. Walter seems to only be close and nice to Travis. If Walter ends up making something out of the money, his mother believing in him was a huge part. This is only because his mother is the one who gave him the money. Without the money he never would have started it. And who knows, without mama he may have never received money and/or another chance. Something good doesn’t have to be running a liquor store. If anything I feel like that would be bad for the family. Walter is already a drunk. Owning a liquor store would just make that issue worse. And it would make the issues he has with his family worse as well.
Megan,
Your blog post pointed out the important key parts from Act 2 scene 2 that I noticed as well! Approval is definitely something the Younger’s look for in everything they do and I see that as being a great thing, especially with family.
In this scene, Walter has been missing three days of work and has been coming home drunk and it’s like his mood completely flipped around when Mama showed she had faith in him. On page 108, Travis responds to Walter’s question, “…son, son, what do you want to be when you grow up?”, as a bus driver. At first, Walter takes Travis’s response as a joke, and Travis just seems a little curious as to why but makes a point in how he wants to be similar to his Father and I think that meant a lot to Walter.
As for your second question, if Walter has success in his business, Mama’s faith will 100% be a big part in why it happened. She is helping him out with money he didn’t have and showing she does in fact believe in him and that is the start of following Walter’s dream.
Megan,
In the text we do see several examples of seeking approval from each other among the Younger family. In the beginning of Act II Scene two, when Beneatha and George come home from an evening out and George is looking for more than just a talk, Beneatha is seeking acceptance as a person of substance who can hold an interesting conversation of things that matter. She doesn’t want to be just a sex object or a play thing, as George wants her to be. “You’re a nice looking girl… all over. That’s all you need, honey, forget about the atmosphere. Guys aren’t going to go for the atmosphere- they’re going to go for what they see. Be glad for that…” (98) George is trying to tell Beneatha how she should act, that she should just give herself over to the men in her life and not be her own person, to be all for him. He speaks to her as if he is speaking on behalf of all men, and he speaks as though he is giving her advice on how to act to keep a man.
Another point in the story where one person believes in another is on page 91 when Mama tells Travis before anyone else what she has done with the money and that “It’s going to be yours when you get to be a man.” This first major act of believing in the children starts somewhat of a domino effect. Ruth sees the potential first and is happy, Walter still can’t see the positives until Mama gives him what is left of the money and says to him, “I’m telling you to be the head of this family from now on like you supposed to be.” If Walter sticks to what he tells Travis, “Daddy ain’t going to never get drunk again…” then he may have a shot of making something with himself. But he talks of doing something with the money tonight that will make a big difference in the town and that snap decisions do not bode well for big financial decisions. Whether he succeeds or fails with the money , it is due to Mama that he has the money in the first place and now the confidence to act with it.
Megan,
You made a really good point in saying that the Younger family lives off each others approval. I never really thought of it that way until you brought it up and it really makes perfect sense. The younger family really struggles to make their own decisions and really rely on each other for most things they do in their life. They also are often embarrassed of each other and trying to keep other people from knowing that. “You have to excuse him… I’ll excuse myself when I needs to be excused!”. This is Ruth feeling embarrassed for something that Walter said in front of a guest. Right now no one believes in Walter at all because he is a drunk and it is a big problem. Walters problem continues to get worse and its making his family turn on him. His first step needs to be getting over his addiction then maybe his family will start to believe in him. I do believe that if his mother believes in him then he will make something good out of the money. I believe this because motivation and people believing in you will push you even harder to achieve your goals.
Megan,
I completely agree with your whole blog post. While reading I noticed the question of approval asked by each family member, but it never occurred to me that they needed each others approval until you stated it. When Walter starts missing work and repeatedly coming home drunk, the atmosphere around him is one that could be described as negative. However, when Walter asks Travis what he wants to be when he grows up it almost changes. When Travis explains how he wants to be a bus driver–wants to be like his father–the mood surrounding Walter slightly changes for the better. Along with Travis’s comment, I think Mama’s faith in Walter is a slight spirit lifter to him as well. However, I do not think it is everything. If Walter ends up succeeding in his business aspirations, I do not think it is solely based off the faith that Mama has in him. Reading all throughout the book, it is clear that Walter isn’t the closets to anyone–besides maybe Travis–in the family. While I think Mama’s faith in him is a contributing factor to succeeding, I think the financial backing that Mama is giving is the main factor.
Approval is something that not only the Youngers face, but something that many in the world strive to obtain. There’s something about not only knowing that you did something great, but knowing that others noticed as well. I feel like this is brought on because when someone else notices your accomplishments then you know that it was something bigger than you as an individual or that it was an incredible accomplishment. Walter’s business venture is a prime example of something that is bigger than him as an individual, because it’s also a way of providing for his family. Another story where characters are in a search for approval would be “Of Mice and Men”. All throughout the story
one of the main characters, Lennie, is in search of his best friend, George’s approval and a place to “tend the rabbits”. This ultimately ends up with George shooting and killing Lennie. Walter’s mother believing in him is the main reason that Walter is able to have the opportunity to continue with his business venture. So ultimately without Mama’s trust, Walter would have no way of even attempting to start his business.
Walter’s family has always been supportive of him, despite their previous, numerous denials of his liquor store idea. It is not about the store however, it is about his edge for greatness, and his american drive to explode into the world as a successful businessman. He wants this, I imagine because he can see how his family fights to get by paycheck to paycheck. Perhaps he knows that the money won’t last forever and he believes he can make a long term profit even better than the insurance money. However, when Walter is drunk, he becomes a m0re radical fellow, one which the family becomes deeply saddened to see. This is what drive Mama to give him the money. Perhaps he will see it as trust, however I see it more so as desperation from Mama to yet again keep the family together, even if it means giving away all she has.
Megan,
I love how you compared these two scenes side by side to one another. It is so true that Walter and Beneatha both express need for approval and understanding form there family members, but both are in such differing ways. Walter shows that he needs reassurance from his family to feel like a “man” and while Beneatha appreciates her mother’s understanding in that scene, it doesn’t seem that she needs it to accomplish her goals in her every day life. That motivation clearly resides in her own self.
To answer the last question, I don’t think Walter would be able to accomplish much of anything without the help and support from his family. They really seem to help him and encourage him when he needs it the most, and during the time of the story, it is clear that he is very low on himself and relies on his family heavily.
Megan,
I completely agree and I think you worded it very well. The Younger family seems to have very little but they have each other and to have that approval from their family means everything to them. The Beneatha example also stuck out to me when I read the scene. She is very strong, smart, and motivated but despite this it is clear that all of these people saying that she should give up on her education and her dreams has begun to get to her. Hearing Mama support her however, was a shock to Beneatha and exactly what she needed to continue to strive for her dreams. The same goes for Walter; all he needed was a little support and faith for him to continue to go after his dreams. This is something that we can clearly see represented in the Younger family but it is also something that should be acknowledged today. The world will get to people and make them give up on their dreams but if they have some support then it make just be enough to encourage them to pursue their dreams. Very well written. Thank you for your post.
Megan, I love that you wanted to put emphasis on this pattern that we se in the text. It has been one of my favorite parts. When Beneatha is in awe and so incredibly happy when her mothers agrees and understands her, even in such a little way, it was such a sweet moment.
And when Walter is given the money. That was a special moment as well because Walter has had all of these dreams in his head dying over the last however many years that he has been miserable working a job he hates, and now his dream can be a possibility again, or at least the beginning of it.
To answer your last question about Walter:
Yes. It is a huge part of it because for so long Walter has been looking for approval from his family, but he is too proud to tell him that or to outwardly seek it. He doesn’t want to have to ask to be considered the man of the house. When Mama gave him that money, she showed him that he had her trust and respect as the man of the house and now everyone has a start to revitalize their own dream together.
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