Apartment Setting in "A Raisin in the Sun"

The setting of "A Raisin in the Sun" the apartment represents a significant theme in the movie. Even though it is a very small space, it's shared by a family of five. It's place of togetherness, what keeps the tied together. This is where Walter can share his feelings with his wife, he is able to speak his mind, but still feels like his ideas and feelings are ignored. Socially and economically, this shows that they are a lower-class family. Walter's son has to sleep on the couch. In the kitchen the have only one window, giving the space a dark, depressing look. They could not afford to live anywhere else, because Walter did not end up where he wanted to be. Walter's mother uses her money to buy a house for Travis to live in when he gets older. She doesn't want Travis in the same position Walter is in. She wants Travis to be more successful and raise a family in a real house. The apartment seems like a safer place when Walter is there. But when he leaves he goes out to drink. The outside world is not an encouraging place for him. He envies the white men, and gets drunk all the time.