Orlando Harmon
In the play *A Raisin in the Sun* by Lorraine Hansberry, Mama (Lena) Younger receives a $10,000 insurance payout following her husband's death. The play, which debuted on Broadway in 1959, centres on the experiences of a Black family in south Chicago as they try to improve their financial situation with the insurance money. The insurance payment is a symbol of the tremendous sacrifice made by Lena's husband, who worked himself to death to provide for his family.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of Insurance Check | $10,000 |
| Payee | Lena Younger (Mama) |
| Source of Money | Life insurance policy of deceased husband, Walter Younger (Big Walter) |
| Intended Use of Money | Down payment on a new house in an all-white neighborhood, investment, education fund for Beneatha |
| Symbolism | Sacrifice, dreams, financial improvement, housing discrimination, racism, assimilation |
| Adaptations | Stage play (1959), TV film (1961), PBS film (1989), BBC production (1996), Broadway revival (2004), Film adaptation of Broadway revival (2008) |
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What You'll Learn
Lena (Mama) receives a $10,000 insurance check
The insurance money is expected to improve the financial circumstances of the Youngers, a black family living in poverty in a run-down two-bedroom apartment on Chicago's South Side. Lena's son, Walter, feels entitled to the money, but Lena has different plans. She declares that some of the money must be donated to her church, as her strong faith and religious convictions guide her decisions. Lena's old-fashioned and conservative views are also evident in her attitude towards her late husband's womanizing and chauvinistic behaviour, which she tolerated.
The arrival of the insurance check is a significant moment in the play, as it symbolizes the tremendous sacrifice that will help realize at least some of the Youngers' dreams. The check is delivered by the mailman, with Ruth sending Travis downstairs to retrieve it. The anticipation of the check's arrival is evident, with Travis keeping a "good lookout" for the postman.
Lena's receipt of the insurance money sets the tone for the play, which explores themes of family dynamics, financial struggles, and the pursuit of a better life. Despite being a strong motivational force in the play, Lena is not its focal point, as critics initially assumed. Instead, the story delves into the experiences of the entire family as they navigate their new reality with the insurance payout.
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The money is compensation for her husband's death
The death of a spouse can have a significant impact on the surviving partner's financial situation, particularly if there are dependent children involved. In the case of Lena Younger, also known as Mama in "A Raisin in the Sun", the insurance payment of $10,000 that she receives following her husband's death represents a chance for her family to achieve their dreams and improve their lives.
Big Walter's sacrifice in working himself to death to secure a life insurance policy for his family symbolizes the struggles faced by generations of African Americans due to racial prejudice. The insurance payment serves as a form of recompense for the limitations imposed on African Americans' social advancement during that time. It also signifies the hope and dignity of the Younger family, providing a sense of purpose to Big Walter's death.
Upon receiving an insurance check for her husband's death, Mama reveals that the money must be used wisely to benefit the family. She understands the importance of financial security, especially in the face of racial barriers to opportunities. The insurance money represents a chance for the Younger family to pursue their aspirations and achieve a better future.
However, the insurance payment also becomes a source of conflict within the family. Mama's son, Walter, loses the insurance money, causing a "sullen light of gloom" to fill the apartment. The loss of the money affects the family's dreams and underscores the divisive power that money can hold. Despite the challenges, Mama's primary concern is for her children, urging her daughter Beneatha to mourn her brother rather than the lost insurance money.
The process of receiving insurance benefits following a spouse's death typically involves several steps. It is crucial to determine if you are named as a beneficiary in the life insurance policy. If the insurance check is made out to the deceased, you must notify the sending party and request them to reissue the check in your name. The funds generally go through a probate process before being passed on to the beneficiary. While there is no time limit for filing a claim, quicker processing can result in receiving the death benefit sooner.
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Mama's children have their own plans for the money
In the play "A Raisin in the Sun", Mama (Lena) Younger is waiting for a $10,000 life insurance payout following her husband's death. Each of her children has their own ideas about how the money should be spent.
Walter Lee, Mama's son, has a sense of entitlement to the money. He dreams of using the funds to open his own liquor store. However, Mama has religious objections to alcohol. Walter's plans for the money go awry when he loses it to a crook he mistakes for a friend. Despite this setback, Walter remains focused on his business ambitions, going on to bribe government officials to secure a liquor license.
Beneatha, Mama's daughter, is keen for some of the money to be set aside for her education. She also has to remind Walter that it is Mama's decision how to spend the money.
Mama herself wants to use the money to buy a house for the family, seeing it as an investment in their future and a way to achieve the American Dream. She and her late husband had dreamed of buying a small house in the Morgan Park neighbourhood and fixing it up. However, she faces challenges due to the racial discrimination prevalent in the real estate market, with properties available to Black families being inconveniently located and overpriced.
The conflict over the insurance money highlights the different dreams and priorities of each family member, reflecting the play's exploration of financial struggles, family dynamics, and the pursuit of the American Dream within the context of racial discrimination.
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Mama uses the money to move to a better neighbourhood
In the play "A Raisin in the Sun", Mama (Lena) Younger is waiting for a $10,000 life insurance cheque following the death of her husband. The cheque is delivered by mail at the beginning of the play, with her grandson Travis collecting it from the postman.
With the money, Mama is able to move her family out of their run-down two-bedroom apartment on Chicago's South Side. The family experiences housing discrimination due to their race, but the insurance payout allows them to move to a better neighbourhood.
Mama's strong faith and religious convictions play a significant role in how she chooses to spend the money. She considers donating the entire sum to her church but ultimately decides to use it to improve her family's living conditions.
Mama's old-fashioned and conservative views are evident in her attitude towards her husband's chauvinistic behaviour, which she believes is something a woman should accept. Despite this, she is a strong motivational force within the family and is able to rise above her suffering and endure hardships.
The insurance payout symbolises the tremendous sacrifice made by Mama's husband, making the family's dreams of a better life a reality.
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She gives the remaining money to Walter to invest
In the play *A Raisin in the Sun* by Lorraine Hansberry, Mama (Lena) Younger is waiting for a $10,000 life insurance check following her husband's death. Lena is a strong, proud, and conservative woman who carries herself with dignity. Her family "leans on" her, and she draws on her strength to support them. Lena has no significant dreams of her own; instead, she lives vicariously through her children.
Lena's son Walter Lee feels entitled to the money, but Lena has different plans. She puts some of the money down on a new house, choosing a house in an all-white neighborhood over a black one because it is much cheaper. Lena eventually gives in to Walter's demands and gives him the remaining $6,500 to invest, with the provision that he reserves $3,000 for his sister Beneatha's education.
Walter invests all the money with Willy Harris, who takes the money and flees, depriving Walter and Beneatha of their dreams. Despite this setback, the Youngers still have their new home. The play deals with issues of housing discrimination, racism, and assimilation, as the Youngers navigate their financial circumstances and attempt to improve their lives.
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Frequently asked questions
The insurance check is for \$10,000 and is a life insurance payment resulting from the recent death of Lena Younger (Mama)'s husband, Big Walter.
Mama wants to put some of the money towards a new house, choosing an all-white neighbourhood as it is much cheaper. She also wants to give some of the money to her daughter-in-law, Ruth, and her grandson, Travis.
Walter wants to invest the money, but Mama has religious objections to alcohol, so Beneatha has to remind him that it is Mama's decision how to spend it.
Beneatha wants to use the money to fund her education.
