A Raisin in the Sun

A prideful, impulsive chauffeur who equates money with status and security. He envisions a liquor store as a fast track to independence, but his single-minded pursuit strains family bonds and exposes the fragility of his dreams. Over the course of the story, he must confront the consequences of his decisions and what it means to lead the family.

The matriarch who anchors the family with quiet strength and practical wisdom. She chooses to invest in a house instead of indulging every dream, embodying hope and responsibility. Her decisions reveal a deep love for her family and the burden of stewardship she bears.

Walter’s wife, practical and tired of financial strain. She carries the weight of pregnancy and the family's future, weighing abortion against continuing the pregnancy. Her resilience keeps the family hopeful even amid doubt and disappointment.

Intellectual and striving for medical school, she explores her Nigerian heritage and rejects conventional norms. She challenges Walter’s plan and seeks independence, representing the younger generation’s push for identity and self-definition.

A friend and possible romantic interest for Beneatha, he brings cultural pride and a contrasting view on heritage. His presence adds a dimension of cross-cultural exchange and intellectual curiosity.

A wealthy, polished neighbor who embodies assimilation and status through success. He clashes with Beneatha's views and exposes the tension between wealth, class, and cultural authenticity.

Walter’s friend who influences the illicit liquor venture and ultimately betrays the family trust by misappropriating the money. His actions catalyze a major turning point in the family’s fortunes.

Walter’s partner in the failed business scheme whose double-cross costs the family the money. His actions precipitate a crisis that tests the Youngers’ resilience and unity.

A salon worker who provides Ruth with information and support during a difficult moment, representing practical help from the community.

Walter’s employer’s wife who prompts Lena to address Walter’s absence from work, highlighting the pressure and responsibility surrounding a working family.

The polite but condescending businessman who offers to buy out the Youngers to keep the neighborhood white, representing discriminatory deals and the moral test the family faces.