Friday, August 9, 2013

In Act 2 of A Raisin in the Sun, what is the conflict between the Younger family and the Neighbourhood Association?

Having bought the property that they intend to live in
using the insurance money from her husband's death, Mama and the family look forward to
leaving their current abode and having a home of their own. However, it is in Act II
scene 3 when Mr. Linder pays them a visit and tells them, on behalf of the Neighbourhood
Association where they live, that they would rather they didn't move into their
community. Note the reasoning that he gives them:


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And at the moment the overwhelming majority of
our people out there feel that people get along better, take more of a common interest
in the life of the community, when they share a common background... It is a matter of
the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the
happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their
own communities.



So, this is
the central conflict that the Younger family faces at this stage in the play. Linder, on
behalf of the Association, is willing to buy back the property from the Youngers at a
very advantageous price to them, but they have to decide whether they are going to
accept this offer and give up their dream of a house or face the possible prejudice from
their new community and carry on with their plans to move regardless. It is this
conflict that finally gives Walter the opportunity to show his maturity and development,
and that he is a man as the play ends.

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