A Raisin in the Sun Summary

In a two-bedroom apartment in Chicago resides the Younger family,

which consists of Mama, her daughter Beneatha, her son Walter and his
wife Ruth, and their son Travis. They don't particularly like their apartment
because it's very small and cramped. An ongoing discussion occurs
regarding money that Mama is receiving in the mail. She gets ten thousand
dollars in life insurance money from her husband's, Big Walter's, recent
death. The family discusses how this money should be used.
Walter wants to invest it in a liquor store. His friends Willy and Bobo
have discussed how to make this dream a reality, but Mama isn't interested
in putting money into something that she sees as sinful, such as a liquor
store. Walter's wife Ruth suggests that Mama travel, but she doesn't want
to travel alone. Walter's sister Beneatha has been attending medical
school, so she would love to have some of the money to help her pay for
that.
In the first act, Ruth does not seem well. She goes to the doctor and
announces that she is pregnant. This news does not make her happy
though, and it's revealed she's thinking about getting an abortion because
of their living situation and her strained relationship with her husband.
As a young girl of twenty, Beneatha often goes out on dates. She
mostly sees two men: George Murchison and Joseph Asagai. George is
from a very rich family and believes in traditional values, such as women
staying home and not needing to work. Asagai is from Nigeria and brings
Beneatha gifts of African robes and traditional music. He has strong
feelings for her and wants her to pursue her dreams.
Mama makes a decision on her own to put a down payment on a
house in a white neighborhood. Ruth is excited about them having a much
larger place to live, but Walter wanted the money to start his business, and
they all worry about the safety of living among white people. Walter
becomes depressed about missing out on a great business opportunity and
doesn't show up to his job as a chauffeur for three days. Mama decides to
support her son by giving him the rest of the money. She used thirty-five
hundred dollars for a down payment on a house, and she wants him to put
three thousand into the bank for Beneatha to pay for medical school, but he
can use the other thirty-five hundred to do with as he pleases. Walter is
overjoyed.
Later, Karl Lindner, a white man, comes to the door saying he's from
the welcoming committee of their new neighborhood. They soon learn that
he isn't there to welcome them; however, he has, in fact, come to offer to
buy their house back from them for more than what they paid. The white
people in Clybourne Park are worried about a black family causing trouble
in their neighborhood as has been happening in some areas of Chicago as
reported by a neighbor, Ms. Johnson. Mr. Lindner wants the family not to
move in. Walter kicks him out of the apartment.
Moving day comes, and the family is packing. The family gives Mama
gifts of gardening tools and a gardening hat to use at their new home.
Walter is on edge about his business deal. Finally, Bobo shows up to tell
Walter that Willy never came with the money for them to get the liquor
license in Springfield. He ran off with it. Mama wants to know if Walter gave
Willy all the money, including the money for Beneatha's schooling, and he
did. Mama hits him repeatedly because she is so disappointed in Walter's
poor choice.
The whole family is despondent. Mama announces that she thinks
they should not move after all. Asagai shows up to help Beneatha with
packing, but she tells him she has given up on becoming a doctor. He tells
her not to lose hope. He asks her if she'd like to come with him to Africa
and become a doctor there, so she tells him she will think about it. Walter
then has an idea and calls Mr. Lindner back to the house. Walter tells the
family he is going to accept Mr. Lindner's offer to not move into that house.
The family is disgusted that Walter would bow to the whims of this white
man. When Mr. Lindner shows up, however, Walter can't do it. He tells him
that they will be moving in, and the family is pleased. Mama is especially
proud that Walter finally stood up for himself. They begin loading the
moving van. Beneatha tells her mother about Asagai's proposal as Mama
wraps up her plant to bring with her to their new home.