The Play a Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

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Lastly there is Ruth who is a traditional woman and a working/housewife. Ruth does not have the pride of being educated like Beneatha, and she does not really depend on religion either like Mama does in the play. Ruth is emotionally strong. What forms Ruth identity is her complicated relationship with her husband, issues in the apartment and her job. The introduction gives an accurate definition of her. The reader sees that despair has found its way into this once beautiful women’s face: “We can see that she was a pretty girl, even exceptionally so, but now it is apparent that life has been little that she expected, and disappointment has already begun to hang in her face” (act 1 scene 1). Tired and in despair, Ruth’s dream is to leave the apartment and live somewhere better she can raise her children in. She relies on this dream to save her. The family’s financial problem causes the issues on Ruth and her husbands’ marriage, which leaves Ruth weary. Although it is considered taboo in the 1950s, Ruth considered abortion in order to do what was necessary to take care of her family: “When the world gets ugly enough-a woman will do anything for her family. The part that’s already living” (act 1 scene 2). All of these things make up Ruth’s identity to create an emotionally strong caretaker who continues to push even in very rough times when one can forget their dreams and goals.

To conclude, the reader sees three generations of women who strive to achieve their dreams along with figuring out what forms their identity. Therefore it can be assumed that dreaming, which is the main theme of the play can shape someone’s identity as well. With every dream comes its own set of obstacles or adversity. The play portrays how society can control mobility. My family as well as many other families have had to deal with issues wherein societal figures tried to control the amount of social mobility we were entitled to, and it took a good family to unite to push through the adversity and reach the goals that we set.