Moving Out! Two Different Perspectives

A Raisin in the Sun is a touching story known for fortifying the dignity of the African-American community while exposing faults in the way the American society functions. The play revolves around an African-American family living in Chicago during 50’s attempting to escape their sun ridden apartment. This talk of moving out brings up an over-looked yet significant conversation in the story between Beneatha and Asagai. Asagai says, “It depresses some people… but for me… it is another feeling. Something full of the flow of life, do you understand?” (Hansberry 131-132). His description gives us a deeper insight on how Asagai views the progression of equality compared to other characters in the play such as Mama. When Mama is faced with finally moving out of her apartment, though claiming to want to leave throughout the play, she hesitates and seems almost unsure about the big step. These reactions can show us how exactly these two characters influenced the plays trajectory.

Asagai’s views on progression are connected to his offer to Beneatha. Asagai asks Beneatha to move with him to Nigeria, back across the Middle Passage. With Beneatha confused about his proposal, he says with an honest and hopeful tone “Nigeria. Home.” (Hansberry 137). In doing so, we can analyze that Asagai is hopeful for the future and confident in his abilities as a leader, so much that he calls his poverty-stricken village home. He finds joy in risk and new ventures. We learn that he wants to be a man who brings prosperity to his village in Nigeria. He is not deprived by the fact that in the world’s current state, his people are seen as a lesser being than those of European origin, he is motivated by it.

Contrary to Asagai’s beliefs, Mama’s views on progression are negatively impacted by her past. Coming from a family of labor workers who lived from pay cheque to pay cheque, Mama sees no reason to believe in her son’s future plans. This changes the trajectory of the play by keeping Walter on a leash, not giving him the money until he is at one of his lowest, most desperate moments. This in turn causes Walter to run off quickly, not thinking clearly, and losing all $6,500 in a foolish exchange. Even though the family ended up prevailing through these dark times, I believe that they would have been much better off if Mama believed in changing for the better.

In analyzing this forgotten conversation, we have gained insight on how these two characters affect the play; Asagai motivating Beneatha to strive for change and Mama holding Walter back from his passions, inevitably leading him to his downfall.