A Raisin in the Sun is the story of the Younger family. It centers on the decisions that the family must make when they receive a check for $10,000 in life insurance funds due to the death of Big Walter Younger. Walter Lee, the son, is pinning all his hopes and dreams on using the funds from his father’s inheritance to become a co-owner of a neighborhood liquor store. Lena, Big Walter's widow, is looking forward to moving her family out of the slum in which they are living, and to staying home after years of working as a domestic. Seeing that her family’s life is deteriorating in their crowded and depressing living conditions, she uses a portion of the money to make a down-payment on a house. Her family is shocked to learn that it is located in an all-white neighborhood. Except for Walter Lee, they all respect the decision she has made and believe it to be the right one. Walter Lee is devastated by the news that the money he is counting on will now be spent for the house. Disturbed by her son’s increasing depression, Lena gives him the remaining funds, trusting him to invest a certain sum for his sister Beneatha to go to medical school. Walter Lee, however, gives all the money to his friend, Willie Harris, to invest in the liquor store. Disastor strikes when the man Walter Lee entrusts with his investment money runs off with it. Overcome with bitterness and despair, Walter Lee tells the family that he has decided they must accept a bribe offered them in order to survive. In this terrible moment, Lena summons all her strength, knowing that the future of the family is not dependent on money, but on the love they have for one another. Confirmed in his mother’s forgiveness and love, Walter Lee gains the moral strength to overcome the disaster that has befallen them.

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