Mama

Mama is a traditionalist matriarch who controls the family in "Raisin in the Sun." Her deep Christian values affect the characters and their opinions. She slaps Benita for disrespecting God. Mama argues with Walter about money and worries about Travis. She spoils Travis and holds onto her values despite poverty and racism. Her plant symbolizes her dream for a better life. The family also struggles with generational conflict. Mama changes throughout the story and decides to give the money to Walter. She is caring, compassionate, and a strong leader for her family. Welcome back to the Andy Strombo Combo Show. Today we are going to be doing a special episode analyzing the character Mama from the story of Raisin in the Sun. She is seen as a traditionalist matriarch of the family who is in control of the family, how they operate, which also includes the insurance tax that they are all excited for. She is seen as traditional due to her deep rooted Christian values which affects many aspects of the story including regards to the way different characters are treated as well as their behavior and opinions about the insurance check they are about to receive. For example, during the scene where Benita and Mama were having a discussion, Benita took the Lord's name in vain, which Mama replied with, don't do that, and Benita said, it doesn't matter, she doesn't believe in God. After denying God, Mama slaps her forcibly across the face. This quite literally reinforces her faith in her Christian values as a character. She is also seen throughout the story arguing with Walter about money and how his anxiety towards the future of the family and opening of the liquor store affects them. Walter is also notably worried about Travis. This is also seen through Mama's character, she is often seen spoiling or babying Travis. For example, whenever Travis is being made to do homework by Ruth, Mama steps in saying that he should be playing outside in the fresh air, not doing homework on a Friday. She also represents her traditional values through her resilience to whatever life throws at her. Despite poverty, racism, and even inter-family conflicts, she still manages to raise her family well and continues to hold her values and traditions. Something else noticed by Mama is her plant and what it represents. It is seen as symbolizing her dream of building a better life for her family and her household. The plant struggling to survive represents how the family is cramped and struggling to survive in the small house. Another conflict seen throughout the family is the generational conflict. They are seen arguing due to them not understanding each other. Mama doesn't understand how Walter can focus so much about money while Walter can't understand how Mama doesn't realize the liquor store could get the family out of the apartment and into a better living situation. Throughout the play, Mama is seen changing and evolving due to different life situations and events that end up taking place. Deciding to give the money to Walter so he can continue the family and take over as head of the family shows some of the changes Mama has made. A couple quotes from Mama that are talks about different parts of her character. One where she talks about her husband before he passed. She was quoted saying, Crazy about his children. God knows there was plenty wrong with Walter Younger. Hard headed. Mean. Kind of wild with the women. Plenty wrong with him. But he sure loved his children. Always wanted them to have something. Be something. That's where brother gets all these notions I reckon. Another one that supports the generational conflict side of it is, You ain't satisfied or proud of nothing your dad and I done. Overall, Mama is caring, compassionate, and a traditionalist that is able to properly lead her family through struggles and hard times.