Character Analysis Of Mama In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

In the play A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, Mama seems as if she is going to be a character whose personality stays the same throughout entire book. She is someone who sticks with an idea that she has. Mama is the mother of Walter and Beneatha, the grandmother of Travis, and the mother in law of Ruth. Mama is described differently throughout the book by the author, other characters and herself.
In the play, the author portrays Mama as a powerful woman who is in her mid sixties. She is described as someone who most would look up too. Lorraine Hansberry, the author, gives Mama many qualities such as; being able to conquer obstacles, being beautiful on the inside, and her soft voice. She has overcome many challenges, “being a woman
She talks as though she has no reason to live anymore, even though she does. When Ruth said “just pack up and leave! Go on away …” (43), Mama, said “something always told me I wasn’t no rich white woman” (44). This clearly demonstrates that she feels less important/empowered than white people. In addition, that quote indicates she has given up with trying to convince herself she is better. No only does her tired and worn personality come out through her words, her bold personality comes out too. Especially, when she expresses her feeling about how Ruth and Walter are taking care of their son, “ what did you fix for his breakfast this morning?... I ain’t meddling… I just noticed all last week he had cold cereal, and when it starts getting this chilly in the fall a child ought to have some hot grits or something when he goes out in the cold” (40). Obviously, her personality of being, obtrusive, bold, worried, and weary are shown through her words. As one can see, Mama may be more of a loud mouth than a shining
To Ruth Mama is a perfectionist. For example, if something isn’t in the correct place Mama will go and fix it or bug someone else to fix it. The readers, see how Ruth feels when she says “ no he don’t half try at all ‘cause he knows you going to come along behind him and fix everything. That's just how come he don’t know how to do nothing right now -- you done spoiled that boy so” (40). Ruth’s feelings towards Mama are more as a mother daughter relationship, and the parent, Mama, is just looking out for them. Walter looks at his mother only for her money. In addition, he also talks as though he is afraid of her when he states, “Mama would listen to you. You know she listen to you more than she do me and Bennie. She think more of you…. You just sip your coffee and see, and say easy like that you been thinking… ” (32-33). He definitely does not seem like he wants to talk to her because he is frightened she might shoot the idea down. Finally, Travis thinks of Mama as a bank and someone to get things from because she spoils him.
In conclusion, the characters, Mama and the authors opinions on Mama unreveal throughout the play. Those opinions vary from seeing her as rude, loving, and as a place to go to when in need for money. In addition, it's not only opinions that unrevealed it was also how their attitudes changed when Mama