Female Head of the family, a Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry

Female Head of the family, a Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry

Keywords: Matriarch of the family, Dominated household, Familial leader.

 If female head of the family is devoted she can support family successfully. In handling family members she is not less than a male head of the family. In a raisin in the sun Mama manages home and family very well as she realizes her responsibilities. She keeps an eye on important domestic issues in the play.  Ali Leskowitz states as , “Raisin became a beacon for a changing nation.”

— Ali Leskowitz

There are several points to consider in this respect.

1-Matriarch of the family:

 Mama is also called as matriarch head of the family. She gets money of her husband’s insurance and secures her family by buying a house for them. She is loving and caring and observes family members individually. She knows what are their problems or what are they doing.

    She dislikes Beneatha’s controversial thoughts about religion as they can destroy her faith. She advises Ruth to relax in pregnancy. She encourages Walter in taking decisions being a future head of the family and provides a house to Travis. She thinks that Travis deserves better place to sleep. She doesn’t talk to anyone as they could fail her plan to purchase house. Later on they agree with mama that they need it. Then they all are excited on getting a better house to live.

 2-Dominated Household:

Mama is dominated in domestic issues. She is not convinced by her daughter as she is more educated in family. She is determined that her daughter should think positively about religion. Again it was her determination that she could purchase home in priority. She argues logically that they are the people who give life to their children.

3-Familial Leader:

 Leading characteristics are the part of mama’s personality. Due to her the family eventually moves out of the apartment, fulfilling the family’s long-held dream. Walter thinks that money is everything in life. Mama directs him that freedom is life. She takes decision that they are “optimistic and determined to live a better life”. Family believes that they can succeed if “they stick together as a family and resolve to defer their dreams no longer.

Mama leads family to right direction. She believes that a bigger, brighter dwelling will help them all. She directs Walter, Beneatha and Ruth and show them right path. She wants her daughter to be strong in her views. Faith is one of the strongest characteristics to build personality. She encourages Ruth in confusion. She gives her good news about home where they can live a better life. She makes Walter’s mind that they give life to their children.  

Similarly she dislikes Beneatha’s low feelings about her brother. She reminds her that her parents had taught her a lesson since childhood that she will love her brother. She argues that someone makes mistake doesn’t mean that he deserves to be hated.

            She educates and trains her son to stand as a future head of the family. Practically she gives Walter big amount to develop his confidence. She gives him chance to learn by his mistakes. Mama was not in position to let the money go. She gives money in Walter’s hands to realize him that he is future head of the family. It would be right to say that females like mama give life to their children.