A Raisin in the Sun

     In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, there are three distinct groups of people- those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Two characters who seems to make things happen are Mama and Beneatha. When having second thoughts on whether or not to move to their new home, Mama says, "Lord, ever since I was a little girl, I always remember people saying, 'Lena-Lena Eggleston, you aims too high all the time. You needs to slow down and see life a little more like it is. Just slow down some'" (525). I really like this quote because, even though the children saying this to her thought they were saying something negative, I feel it is a compliment. However cliche and annoying it is, we always remember the saying "Shoot for the moon, if you fail you'll land among the stars." I think this applies to Mama because she thinks it is a bad thing she aims too high in life. However, if we do not have ambitious goals we may never accomplish anything. We can not play life safely. This part of the story really shows how Mama makes things happen in life. 

     I think Walter Lee watches things happen in life. He seems to have ideas but never acts on them. He is "all talk and no action" I suppose you could say. Even though he has dreams and goals, he doesn't really try to pursue them, he just watches as life passes him by. 

     Ruth seems to fit in the wondering group. She doesn't really have an option, though. She is always wondering what Walter will do, or not do, next. She seems to always be in the background and let others control her life.