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Mama’s Plant

The plant in which the matriarch of the family in ‘Raisin in the Sun’ is symbolized as desire of growth and the current state that Mama and her family are in. Mama is constantly caring for the plan knowing that the plant will be able to survive the tough living conditions if she continues to care and nurture it. This can also be applied to her family as she never gave up on them and puts great care towards them. Mama’s deep nurturing of this plant even though it is not getting enough sunlight represents how no matter which state her family is in, she will still tend to and care for them.

 

Insurance Cheque

This cheque represents a successful dream. People in the household desire the money from this cheque to be able to accomplish their goals though Mama has the final say on what to do with the money due to her being the one in charge of the household. This cheque is able to accomplish multitudes of dreams such as Beneatha's dream of becoming a doctor, Walter’s goal of investing in a liquor store and Mama’s dream of moving her family into a better living condition.

 

Liquor Store

This store represents Walter’s greed for money. He despises his current job as a chauffeur and wants to provide money for his family and places his hopes in a chance to invest in a liquor store. His idea of owning a liquor store trumps his family’s dreams as he uses the remaining money of the cheque, $6500, to fulfill his own personal desires. As a result of this, he places his family in a crisis regarding money as they will not be able to maintain the money needed for their new house and money for Beneatha and her dream of becoming a doctor.