Mohamad Rayshouny

Professor Coleman

ENGL M01B

March 29, 2020

Character Sketch: A Raisin in the Sun

The play, A Raisin in the Sun, takes place in the south of Chicago in the mid 1950’s.

There are many different characters that provide dynamic qualities to them. One of them being

Beneatha Younger, a young African-American woman in her early 20’s, that is very well

educated and is ambitiously driven to succeed. She has many quality traits that define her

character including her being educated, ambivalent, and independent.

Beneatha is very accomplished. She is the only person out of her family to go to college.

She additionally has significant information about African culture, on account of her Nigerian

suitors, Joseph Asagai. Beneatha accepts advanced education is her right. She wouldn't like to

assume the job of a "spouse". In spite of the fact that Beneatha is thankful for the penances her

family makes for her to finally achieve her dream of becoming a doctor, her brother,Walter,

doesn't feel like she deserves it. He expressed, “It ain’t that nobody expects you to get on your

knees and say thank you, Brother; thank you, Ruth; thank you, Mama—and thank you, Travis,

for wearing the same pair of shoes for two semester-” Beneatha is certain that her hard work will

lead her to her dream job.

Beneath is also very ambivalent. She is thought of by her family to "flutter" around with

a wide range of exercises. These exercises incorporate photography, horseback riding, theater,

and her most recent intrigue is guitar. Her own mom expressed " How come you took it in your

mind to learn to play the guitar… Lord, child, don’t you know what to get tired of this now like
you got tired of that little do with yourself… You aint ever done nothing with all that camera

equipment you brought home.” Beneatha's sister in-law expressed "The horseback-riding club

for which she purchased that fifty-five dollar riding propensity that has been hanging in the

wardrobe ever since!" These two statements show Beneatha doesn't stay with anything. She isn't

sure what she needs to do because she is extremely hesitant to keep up with things.

Lastly, Beneatha is quite independent. She wouldn't like to wed for cash. "Tune in, I will

be a doctor. I'm not stressed over who I will wed at this point on the off chance that I ever get

hitched." This statement shows that she needs to achieve her objectives before considering a

spouse. Most ladies in the clinical field are medical assistants, and Her sibling Walter prods her

for not being a medical caretaker. "Who the hellfire let you know must be a specialist? On the off

chance that you are so wild about 'session messin 'round with wiped out individuals - at that

point go be a medical caretaker." Beneatha doesn't let her sibling prevent her from finally

becoming a doctor.

Taking everything into account, Beneatha has a wide range of qualities including her

being educated, ambivalent, and independent. These qualities make her character revolve around

the story as well as the people around in the play.