In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, each character represents distinct values that help to further the plot and theme of pursuing one's dreams throughout the play. Lena, Walter and Beneatha Younger, George Murchison and Asagai each have individual values but they are united by the intersecting dream of a better tomorrow.
Lena Younger, the head of the Younger household, is a strong-willed woman who acts as the family's backbone, values her faith in God and her family's happiness. Lena has a hard time understanding her children's values and struggles to instill her values in them. Lena's inability to identify with her children's autonomous dreams and values causes tension in her relationship with her children. "No-there's something come down between me and them that don't let us understand each other and I don't know what it is. One done almost lost his mind thinking "bout money all the time and the other done commence to talk about things I can't seem to understand in no form or fashion. What is it that's changing, Ruth"(Hansberry 1745). Lena Younger is a strong-willed woman who comes from a different generation who dreams of nothing more than her family's happiness. Her values differ so much from her children to that she begins to feel alienated from them. Money and materialistic possessions hold no meaning or value in her system of beliefs standing in obvious contrast to her son Walter's values. Lena believes that hard work and patience will lead to the ultimate reward of family happiness and satisfaction. Lena Younger holds steadfast to her values and beliefs" resulting in mounting tension between her and her son Walter because he believes that happiness only comes from money. Lena places much value in her faith in God and demands this belief and respect in her children. Upon realizing that her daughter Beneatha has rejected God, Lena suffers a heartfelt blow that results in a physical confrontation.