Plants

Mama:  "They spirited all right, my children.  Got to admit they got spirit - Bennie and Walter.  Like this little old plant that ain't never had enough sunshine or nothing - and look at it..." (A Raisin in the Sun - p. 52)

In this play, Mama's beloved plant means a lot more than just a household decoration.  This plant is a symbol of Mama's children Bennie and Walter.  Bennie dreams of becoming a doctor while Walter desires to open a liquor store in order to better their lives.  Through Mama's upbringing, Walter and Bennie have developed ideas outside of Mama's control.  For example, Bennie makes Mama extremely upset when she tells her that she no longer believes in God.  After Mama's constant guidance like her tending of the plant, she can not believe that her child would believe something like this.  Bennie and Walter dream of success because they never experienced anything outside of a poor life just as the plant never received enough sunshine or water.  The plant also represents Mama's desire to live in a bigger house with a yard and garden.  Mama feels that she is unable to adequately provide for her children and grandchildren in their current home.  Moving to a bigger home was a desire she shared with her husband.  Mr. Younger gave up this desire after losing a baby.  This was a turning point for the family that never allowed them to move forward in their lives.