A New Manhood

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

"He finally come into his manhood today, didn't he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain..." (Hansberry, page 151).

Through the progression of the play, Walter has changed a great deal. The money played a key role in his significant change through the stages of the play. Before the money came, Walter had his dream and plan for his family. He wanted to break through the limits of the blacks so he could start his liquor store. This plan in conjunction with the money allotted by Mama, led Walter to become nearly crazed with his plan to get out of the money trouble they faced. Once the money was gone, Walter seemed to slowly regain his previous personality but in a better light. He came from his dream to reality and took his current situation and used practical means to better their lives. By telling of Linder the second time, Walter took his families' situation into his own hands without taking opportunity from his sister. Mama comments on Walter's new manhood at the end of the play. She compares his selfish times to rain and his new change to the rainbow that seemed inevitable to come after the times of rain.  

Mama's plant played a role in comparing their journey to a better life. The plant was describe to be wilted and in dark light. Mama cared for the plant but wanted a home with a nice big garden instead of just her plant. At the end of the play, Mama comes back in for the plant as the final goodbye to their apartment. In doing so, Mama is taking their past experience and life with the to the new house where they can build upon their past life and create a future for themselves.