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Raisin in the Sun

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Thesis Statement: One of the major themes of "A Raisin in the Sun" is the devaluation of capitalism as a measure for success and its replacement by family pride.
I. Walter Lee is obsessed with obtaining money from the very beginning of the play. His very happiness depends on success, and he measures this in wealth. 1. He longs to be successful. His speech at the end of Act II, Scene 2 beginning "You wouldn’t understand yet, son, but your daddy’s gonna make [...] a business transaction that’s going to change our lives [...] You just name it, son, and I'll hand you the world!" (Hansberry, 96)
2. Money is the only means of being successful or obtaining success. When asked why he cares so much about money, Walter screams, "Because it is life, Mama!" (Hansberry, 64)
II. Mama encourages him to take her place as head of the family, despite disagreeing with his lust for wealth.
1. Mama tries to convince him that money is not the solution to Walter's crisis of purpose in a speech: "Something has changed. You something new, boy. [...] You ain't satisfied or proud of nothing we done. You my children - but how different we done become." (Hansberry 62)
2. Still she trusts him with the money in order to further his pride and encourage his familial responsibility. "I'm telling you to be head of this family from now on like you supposed to be." (Hansberry, 94)
III. After the money is all but depleted, Walter stands up for himself and his family and spurns money in favor of pride and the fulfillment of his family's dream.
1. By standing up to Lindner, he becomes a man independent of wealth to make himself happy. "[W]e have decided to move into our house because my father—my father—he earned it for us brick by brick. [...] We don’t want your money." (Hansberry, 138)
2. It is this transformation from capitalist-obsessive youth to responsible patriarch that

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