Cameron Campbell

1/29/20
Senior English
Generation Conflicts ARITS

The generational conflicts in A

​ Raisin in the Sun ​can be heavily seen in Mama’s 

interactions with both Beneatha and Ruth. One example of this is when Beneatha 

mentions starting guitar lessons, which makes Mama kind of upset. Ruth chimes in 

saying that Beneatha "flits” around from activity to activity all the time and needs to be 

more committed. This starts a small argument between the two of them. Beneatha says 

she simply just wants to express herself. This is representative of many generational 

conflicts today. Many times young people have hopes and dreams, and older 

generations tell them to be more realistic about their outlook on life. Another example 

of generational conflicts in the play is when Ruth tells Mama she’s tired, Mama says she 

should stay home from work. Ruth responds, saying that the family needs the money. 

Mama thinks that Ruth and the rest of the family are obsessed with money, calling it 

“not Christian”. Ruth perhaps is trying to be more like the older generation by being 

more hard working and mature. Mama simply doesn’t want her to completely wear 

herself out by forcing her to take on too much only for the money. The third example I 

saw was when Beneatha tells Mama that she does not believe in God. Mama is furious 

by this and slaps Beneatha across the face. Mama makes Beneatha repeat the phrase 

“In my mother’s house there is still God”. A lot of children are raised in a certain religion 

and throughout their life they may have doubts about their religion. What Mama did 

wrong was, she responded with anger and violence, when she should respond calmly 

and lovingly.  
Cameron Campbell
1/29/20
Senior English
Generation Conflicts ARITS