Women's dreams deferred

Don't worry, Agatha, this post is not going to be about any sort of crisis in masculinity, even if Walter thinks that he is having a masculine crisis. I believe that A Raisin in the Sun does show Walter in crisis and attempting to assert his masculinity, but that it points out the dangers associated with that as well as the role of women in supporting male dominance. One thing that struck me about the world of the play is the claustrophobic, feminized world it presents. Set entirely in the Youngers' cramped, Southside apartment, the play presents a family that has been built on the backs of Ruth and Mama, with both male characters frequently absent. However, this is not because Walter is busy earning the money to support the family; in fact, his earnings are so low that Ruth works full time and Mama frequently has to re-enter the workforce in order to supplement the family's income. And while Beneatha does not work, she attends a university in order to become a doctor, a healing profession that she eloquently speaks about.

Throughout the entire play, Walter demands to be listened to and complains about his female dominated home life. He wants his wife and mother to support his foolish plans and dreams, while completely ignoring their own dreams and belittling his sister's efforts to become a doctor, asking her to become a nurse instead. He asserts his dream with masculine privilege, demanding a priority and respect more from his place as “man of the house” rather than any real effort. His conversation with Ruth about the eggs totally disrespects her position as food preparer and breadwinner for the household, and blames black women for the subjugation of African Americans. However, it is clear that Mama and Ruth are holding the family together, trying their best to get a better home and working hard to provide Beneatha with an education. I think that Hansberry beautifully portrays the hard work of the plays female characters and their dreams. However, Walter consistently pushes their dreams to the back burner in an effort to advance his own. Additionally, Hansberry presents the systemic barriers that keep the Youngers from achieving their dreams, from racism and poverty to Walter's chauvinism.

In this light, I have a problem with the end of the play. In many ways, Walter throws his family's dreams under the bus in an effort to accumulate more money, but gains the respect of his wife and mother. Both women see that Walter tried to at least do something to achieve his dream and celebrate his assertion of dominance. I am still having trouble relating this to the rest of the play. The women continue to support Walter's failed dreams, deferring their own for his.