Lena Younger: Development of Her Character in "A Raisin in the Sun"

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Lena Younger: Development of Her Character in "A Raisin in the Sun"
Introduction
In the play "A Raisin in the Sun", Lena Younger, although not the central character, exhibits all prerequisite features of a round character. Throughout the play, she undergoes subtle but consistent psychological and emotional transformations. After her husband's demise, her character changes from a passive mother to a caring and responsible matriarch. Besides, she showed a radical shift in her conservative views. For example, her agreement on letting her son invest the insurance money in the liquor business reflects her character transformation. It is safe to assume that Lena Younger is a perfectly round character whose character transformation drives most action of the play and the following paragraphs describe the subtle yet perceptible shift in Lena's character.
Discussion
Primarily, Lena appears to embody dignity, modesty, and loyalty; she is an abiding woman who acknowledges her husband's authority over herself. However, her husband's untimely demise triggers the initial transformation in her character; having assumed the role of a matriarch, she is now more authoritative, more caring, and more loving towards her children. In Act III Sc. I, she loving refers to her children in the following way "You what supposed to be my beginning again. You – what supposed to be my harvest (Hansberry 571). This statement indicates the extent of transformation of her character from a meek, loving housewife to an authoritative and caring woman leader of the house. This transformation further accentuates Lena's character and lends her a new and unique dimension and role. The shift is significant for developing the play's plot as the rest story sets on her role as a matriarch of the Youngers.
Similarly, Lena exhibits herself as a proud, religiously, and morally sound woman for most of the play. She displays her anger towards her children's immoral and unethical behaviours at several play places. ...