Express Yourself

Do you ever stop to think about how much the world has shaped you? People are so absorbed in worldly possessions that they lose who they are during their lives. Every character in the novel A Raisin in the Sun possesses some sort of dream in their lives, however they are unfulfilled. One character who particularly sticks out is Beneatha. She tries to get a hold of herself and not be immersed in other worldly items that are causing her family to break apart. While people in society in the novel craze over money, wealthy men, and anything that creates wealth, Beneatha wants to find out what kind of person she truly is. She doesn't want to please anyone but wants to get the most out of life by trying to be who she wants to be. Her brother Walter constantly asks her the question about "how [is] school coming?"(Hansberry 36). She is frustrated about how her family seems to only worry about her decisions in becoming a doctor for the money that she will be making. Studying to become a doctor, despite all the hard work needed, Beneatha wants to seek her inner self, putting money aside from her life problems. 

She also serves as a sane individual when others around her are always craving endless wealth. "Walter, give up; leave me alone--it's Mama's money"(Hansberry 38). I view Beneatha as a very respectable character for she is the one person who tries her best in being different while others around her are living for one sole purpose: more wealth and happiness. It's not that she doesn't value these things but she prioritizes her purpose in life to the max. Individualism shapes her character to a big degree and made her stand out as a meaningful character.

separating from society's "norm" is a better option to take at times