A Raisin in the Sun: Character Sketch

Hansberry writes, “Now the once loved pattern of the couch upholstery has to fight to show itself from under acres of crocheted doilies and couch covers which have themselves finally come to be more important than the upholstery” (23). Ruth can easily be compared to the couch in her living room as a woman who is overcome by how she feels about the Younger household and living conditions. Over the course of this play, The Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, Ruth changes from fed up to relieved, content to concerned, and finally from concerned to satisfied. In the beginning, she is sick of everything, and events change her feelings to be calmer. Near the middle, Ruth goes from feeling content to concerned. Finally, after being concerned, she eventually is satisfied. Near the beginning of the play, Ruth is very fed up with everything, and throughout she becomes more relieved. Hansberry illustrates, “Ruth is about thirty…and disappointment has already begun to hang in her face. In a few years…she will be known among her people as a ‘settled woman’” (24). This shows how Ruth feels about the conditions they are in, and that she is unhappy with living in a place that is so run down. Hansberry writes, “The glassy-eyed look melts and then she collapses into a fit of heavy sobbing,” (60). She describes Ruth’s thoughts when she finds out that she is pregnant, and living in poor conditions to raise a child. But when the check comes in from insurance, Ruth is somewhat relieved to find out that their conditions may be improving. Once she finds out they are moving into a house, she is relieved and excitedly starts asking Mama about all the details. At this point, Ruth is able to be seen as more calm about the current events. Throughout the play, Ruth goes from feeling content, or at least comfortable with where they are, to feeling concerned. In the beginning of the play, Ruth is not exactly happy, but she is okay with the conditions they are currently in, and she does