Inequality In The 1950’s
The 50’s were a devastating era to live in for many people. This was due to the inequality and social issues many people had to face; in particular, people of colour and women. They were not as accepted in society because gender roles were assigned for women and there was a lot of racial tension for people of colour. “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry is a play that depicts the hardships, social issues and discrimination many people had to face due to their gender, race, and socio-economic status.
Stereotypical gender roles presented many social issues in the 1950’s. Women and men were expected to fulfill the duties expected of their role, or face judgment from society. Opportunities for women in the 1950’s were very limited; the ideal occupations for women fell within the realms of being a caregiver of some sorts, a house-wife, or a house-keeper. They were expected to look pretty, obey their husbands, and not have an opinion of their own; this is evident in George’s snarky comment to Beneatha-- “I know you love to talk and I don’t mind it sometimes…I want you to cut it out, see --- The moody stuff, I mean. I don’t like it. You’re a nice-looking girl…all over. That’s all you need, honey, forget the atmosphere. Guys aren’t going to go for the atmosphere --- they’re going to go for what they see. Be glad for that. Drop the Garbo routine. It doesn’t go with you. As for myself, I want a nice, simple, sophisticated girl… not a poet --- O.K.?” (Act 2, Scene 2, Page 96). George does not want Beneatha to talk much and show her emotions --- he would rather she act her part as the perfect arm candy; keep quiet, and compliment his manliness. An example of the societal expectations of men in the 1950’s is seen in act 3, when Walter says to Ruth, “Somebody tell me --- tell me, who decides which women are supposed to wear pearls in this world. I tell you I am a man --- and I think my wife should wear some pearls in this world!”(Act 3, Scene 1, Page 143). It is interpreted that Walter feels less of a man because he is unable to do for his wife what is expected of him, which is to buy her expensive and beautiful things. The immensity of the social issue that was gender roles in the 1950’s is therefore an evident character theme throughout the novel, as the women and men in the play struggled to fit in with societal expectations.
Racism presented physical barriers for people of colour in the 1950s; thus, making it a difficult era to live in for the Younger family. People of colour were treated unfairly, viewed as less than, and had nowhere near the amount of career opportunities as a white person. People of colour were not accepted in many places and/or treated very poorly, such as having to sit at the back of the bus, having to drink from different water fountains, not being welcomed in many restaurants, and having to eat separately from the white people. Racial segregation not only caused barriers for black people physically, but also on a emotion level. This is seen when Walter says, “Mama --- sometimes when I’m downtown and I pass them cool-quiet-looking restaurants where them white boys are sitting back and talking ‘bout things…sitting there turning deals worth millions of dollars…sometimes I see guys don’t look much older than me” (Act 1, Scene 2, Page 74). In this quote, Walter is evidently upset that boys like him, boys his own age, are able to afford expensive restaurants and have more opportunities in the world because of their lighter skin colour. Another example of racial inequalities expressed in the play is seen when Mama says, “Them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. I did the best I could.” (Act 2, Scene 1, Page 93) In this quote, Mama explains the real estate barriers put in place against people of colour. Chicago’s laws at the time made it very difficult for people of colour to move out of the slums and into nicer neighbourhoods. The laws aimed to ensure and secure segregation between white and black communities. The effect of racism on the lives of the characters in this play are therefore very prominent. It is evident that racial segregation resulted in deep distress for the Younger family.
The socio-economic status of a family or a man represented one’s pride, dignity, and how much they were respected in the 1950’s. The Younger family was very poor, and consequently, were not well respected. Walter, the man of the house, worked as a chauffeur for a white man. The entire family lived in a small, unattractive home. Mama occasionally worked as a babysitter, while Ruth worked as a housekeeper. They had a very low family income and did not have much valuables-- consequently, in the play it is seen that they often had very little to spare. This is shown when Ruth told Travis, “Well, I ain’t got no fifty cents this morning…I don’t care what teacher say. I ain’t got it. Eat your breakfast, Travis.”(Act 1, Scene 1, Page 28) This shows how little money the Youngers have, since Ruth is not willing to give her son 50 cents for school because they cannot afford it. The Younger’s financial deficiency not only affects them socially, but also emotionally as well. This is shown when Walter gives Travis the 50 cents he needed and adds, “In fact, here’s another fifty cents…Buy yourself some fruit today --- or take a taxicab to school or something!” (Act 1, Scene 1, Page 31). Walter did not want his son to feel the strain of their low-income-- he didn’t want his son to be unhappy like the rest of the family, even if it meant putting a hole in his own wallet. These are some ways that the Younger’s socio-economic status in the 1950’s affected their daily life.
Social issues, hardships, and discrimination against people of colour, women, and poor people are depicted very well in the play “A Raisin in the Sun”. Above physical barriers of not being treated fairly, or receiving the same opportunities as white people, the Youngers show the audience the emotional devastation felt by people of colour, from harsh treatment and inequalities, in the 1950s.
