Materialism in a Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry:

Materialism in a Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry: Keywords: Material wealth, Disadvantages, Depression Extreme love of money can make life a hell and increase troubles many folds. It makes people nervous and humiliated. To brood over materialistic things causes disturb many things in life. To think and talk about money all the times can spoil relations. 1-Material Possessions: In a raisin in the sun Lorraine Hansberry exposes materialistic problems, poor or low middle class face. Walter seems fed up on not having the proper possessions in routine life. He complaints that his son is wearing same pair of shoes for two semesters and he has to sleep in the living room. His son has to wait others to leave the living room so that he would sleep there. Walter is ashamed that he can’t provide a better life to his son but only can tell stories about. Under strong influences of materialism he insists his sister to go for job and bring home some earning. He also advises her to do job in any kitchen. If medical is her interest he can do job as a nurse. He wants her to earn and contribute in financial problems in family. He thinks money is only the solution of family problems. He wants to invest Mama’s money in business so that he would be able to provide better life to family. 2-Disadvantages: Ruth is not upset for money but from Walter’s often talk about money. His talk begins with money and ends with money also. He says to Mama that money is everything. He protests that his mother is never on his side. He is tired of everything. So tired moaning and groaning all the time, but she would do nothing to help him. He is irritated when his wife ignores him due to his conversation on money. Whenever he tries to express his dreams and wishes his wife begins to ask him to eat something. When he speaks about his friends’ journey of success; and their financial achievement; Ruth begins to talk about something else. He wants to share with her and she seems not to hear him. He wants change in life and she ignores him. Eventually in return he condemns that women have small brain and unable to understand men and their matters. Ironically he says that, “one group of men tied to a race of women with small minds!” 3-Depression: Walter expresses his inner feelings that there are many things which drive him to be crazy. His words show that he is about to be maddened on his financial problems. It is not easy for him to see son deprived of basic needs or to see his wife and mother to go to work. Walter seems victimized of self pity and thinks that nobody is there to get him. Though he tries to explain but nobody is there to understand him. In anger he says that women have no capabilities to understand men as they have small brain. In other words they are inferior to them. They can’t get their point of views. Similarly his sister calls him a nut if he is unable to give a better life to his son. He advises his sister to do some job to support family. He makes her realize that he and his wife work hard to support the family and she should earn also while family has to give her tuition fee. He tries to convince his mother as, “Do you know what this money means to me. Do you know what this money can do for us. Mama I want so many things.”Mama replies as, “I'm sorry about your liquor store, son. It just wasn't the thing for us to do. That's what I want to tell you about.” He thinks if he becomes rich his wife will hear him carefully. She will not say to his friends as good for nothing, or loudmouth. She will honor his friends and their achievements. His wife would love him and respect him if he becomes a rich business man. On the other hand Ruth states as, “You never say, nothing new. I listen to you every day, every night and every morning, and you never say, nothing new.” 4-Materialism and Spiritualism: Walter pats mama’s hand and says, “You just don't understand, Mama.” He emphasizes that money is life. Mama tries to convince him and says that once upon a time freedom used to be life now it's money. She says the world really does change. Walter says it was money, it is money and it will be money. He intends to say that a lot of has been changed. Something, J.Singh illustrates in his article that money solves many problems. He describes as, “I open and close car doors all day long. I drive a man around in his limousine and I say, "Yes sir; no sir”. He also says that he can’t do that job that is nothing at all. He describes that his mother can’t understand him what he wants to say actually. Mama replies that he seems eating up something like a crazy man and he is losing his faith. His eyes reflect a kind of wild and body language all nervousness. Mama points out that Walter is not satisfied with him and his surroundings. He can’t feel proud on what he has as job, home, loving wife and a quote son. She recalls, a time was when they were happy with the things they had and now people are unhappy on what they don’t have. There is a great difference in thinking between children and parents. They find no cause to be happy while their ancestors find all reasons to be content and happy. In the words of Robertson, “Money, which is a source of so many blessings to mankind, becomes also, unless we can control it, a source of peril and confusion.”