Money is one of the central themes in the story "A Raisin in the Sun." The characters begin the story by arguing over what to do with the money from a life insurance check, as Walter feels like he should get to do what he wants with it but Mama is the one with the ultimate responsibility for making decisions.
Throughout the story, the family plans to buy a new house in a nice, all white neighborhood with the sum of money they received. Unfortunately, a large portion of the money is stolen after they buy the house and they are left without security or an ability help their financial situation.
The majority of the story revolves around money and the opportunities it gives. While it can be seen as a vice, it is clearly shown that lack of money is a much worse situation than having the vices that come with too much money.
Money has a significant role in the play and is the source of conflict among the members of the Younger family. Money also drives the plot of the play and helps characterize the members of the Younger family. The Younger family lives in poverty and resides together in a cramped, worn-down South Side apartment. However, the Younger family's financial situation seems to greatly improve when Lena receives a ten thousand dollar insurance check after the death of her husband. Each member of the Younger family has their own ideas of how to spend the money in order to attain their individual dreams and aspirations.
Conflict immediately arises regarding how to spend the insurance money. Walter Jr. is a passionate, desperate man who is sick of working as a chauffeur and wishes to attain financial freedom by investing in a liquor business. However, Lena does not initially support her son's dream because of her Christian ideals, which greatly affects Walter's attitude as he becomes extremely depressed about not fulfilling his dream. Beneatha, who is an intelligent, confident young woman, wishes to use the insurance money to pay for her college education so that she can become a doctor. However, the other members of her family do not support her dream because it challenges the social conventions of the time. Lena wishes to use the money to buy a newer, spacious home where her family can live comfortably and enjoy themselves. Ruth is the only member of the family who shares Lena's dream, and Lena ends up purchasing a home in the white neighborhood of Clybourne Park.
After Lena makes an initial down payment, she sympathizes with her son and ends up giving him $6500 to invest in his liquor business and pay for some of Beneatha's education. Unfortunately, Walter Jr. gets cheated by one of his business partners and loses the money his mother gave him. The loss of $6500 presents another conflict in the play and negatively affects the dynamic of the Younger family. Beneatha turns on her brother and Walter wallows in self-pity. Towards the end of the play, Walter Jr. decides to meet with Mr. Lindner and plans on selling Lena's home back to the white community in order to make up for losing the money. Before Walter Jr. signs the necessary paperwork to make the transaction, Lena tells Travis to watch his father make a deal with Mr. Lindner while she speaks about their family's proud ancestors. At that moment, Walter Jr. experiences a change of heart and demonstrates his integrity by refusing to sell Lena's home back to the white community of Clybourne Park. Overall, money symbolically represents hope for the Younger family and is a constant source of conflict throughout the play. Money also drives the plot and helps reveal the characters' different aspirations and values.
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