In A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry provides a powerful feminist statement that conveys a feminist critique of a masculine society when reconstructing women's roles in the 1950s. The three African American women characters in the play, Lena, Ruth and Beneatha, are prominent figures who represent three contrasting personalities, who personify the vision of women in a society. Lena and Ruth belong to an older generation, still retain a traditional ideology of women's roles and are more wary of their actions. Beneatha, however, has a different perspective than her mother Lena. Beneatha aspires to become a doctor, a male-dominated field, and make a difference in the world. At the beginning of the play, Ruth is the first character to be introduced. Ruth is a submissive, submissive woman who insists on putting family matters first and herself last. Ruth occupies a typically traditional position within her family. He is the first person to wake up so he can prepare breakfast for his family. Furthermore, Ruth is portrayed as inferior to her husband, Walter Lee Younger. This notion is accentuated when, despite Ruth telling her son Travis that they don't have fifty cents for his book, Walter not only gives Travis the money for the book, but gives him another fifty cents since he noticed the angry expression on the Ruth's face. face. Although Ruth is displeased, she constantly hides her opinions so as not to upset her husband. When Walter Lee begins to talk about the money their family will soon receive and his dreams of opening a liquor store, Ruth simply reiterates, "Eat your eggs" (Hansberry 1.1). This quote is used to convey Ruth's way of feeling... middle of paper ...... I understand why her children act the way they do, but she tries her best to be supportive. There are circumstances however where Lena must demonstrate her virtuous character and express her opinions to keep her family together. Lena confronts Walter Lee about his wife, Ruth's, plan to have an abortion, in hopes that he will act like a man and take control of the situation. Another example of Lena's strong character is when she slaps Beneatha for stating, “There is simply no damn God – there is only man and He is the one who works miracles! (Hansberry 1.1)” and having an unchristian attitude toward God. Despite all the characteristics she opposes in both of her children, Lena just wants her family to be happy. This is why Lena's plan for money was to buy a house, pay for Beneatha's education, and give Walter Lee all the remaining money..