give a raisin in the sun summary of act 1
In Act 1 of "A Raisin in the Sun," the Younger family, consisting of Lena (Mama), Walter Lee (her son), Ruth (Walter's wife), and Beneatha (Walter's sister), lives in a small, rundown apartment in Chicago's South Side. They are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a $10,000 insurance check, which represents the deceased patriarch's life insurance policy.
The family is living in cramped quarters, highlighting their poverty, and each family member dreams of a better life. Walter, who works as a chauffeur, desperately wants to invest the money in a liquor store, believing it will provide financial security for the family. However, Mama has other plans for the money. She wants to use a portion of it to buy a house in a better neighborhood and invest the rest in Beneatha's future, as she aspires to be a doctor.
Ruth discovers that she is pregnant, which ratchets up the tension in the household. She is conflicted about bringing a child into their difficult circumstances, adding to the financial pressures they face.
Walter faces racism and discrimination at work, which further fuels his desire for financial independence. He becomes increasingly frustrated as Mama refuses to give him full control of the money. He feels emasculated, resentful, and dreams of being a successful businessman.
Lena believes that the money should be used wisely and wants to instill in her children the importance of their African heritage. She plans to give Beneatha a portion of the money to pursue her medical career but is not convinced about Walter's investment idea.
Beneatha, an ambitious and independent young woman, explores her identity in relation to her heritage. She expresses interest in two African cultures, attempting to understand herself and her place in the world. She plans to use some of the money for tuition to attend medical school.
Act 1 concludes with Walter inviting a representative from the liquor store to discuss the investment, much to Mama's disappointment and frustration. The tension within the family escalates as they try to reconcile their differing dreams and aspirations for the future, setting the stage for subsequent acts to explore these conflicts further.