Author: Joe M

I chose this to use this Florida house bill from 1557 because I felt it was something that did irreparable harm to many families across the state. While the bill states that it is only up to grade three, the wording of the terms “Age appropriate” makes it so that this bill can be much farther reaching and that it can affect students that are well beyond this age range. This causes the potentially dangerous bill to be passed under the guise of “parental rights” when in reality it is simply one of controlling otters. While it may seem that this is simply allowing parents to be aware of their children when in the elementary age, due to the loose constraints of the wording, this is not the case. It can put students in danger as if parents are not accepting of their children, which can be a harmful situation to be in, they must now be made aware.

A Raisin in the sun by Lorraine Hansberry is a story that connects to a multitude of issues facing society. It touches on the struggle to achieve the American dream, the difficulty of navigating an extremely racially charged society and so much more, but one of the things that are prevalent throughout the entirety of the work is the topic of toxic masculinity and misogyny. The reader is privy to several encounters and circumstances in which it is shown how toxic masculinity plays a damaging role in not just those that are receiving its backlash, but also those who engage in its rhetoric. 

Toxic masculinity is portrayed most heavily within the work through the character of Walter. We see that Walter routinely will put down the women that are in his life and make it seem like they are always responsible for the problems that he is dealing with, or he will simply outright demean women in general. Statements like “goes to show you how much women know about the world”( Hansberry 18) or calling the women of the house “ the world’s most backward nation of women ”(Hansberry 22). He tells them to put forth the notion that the women in his life are all hysterical and don’t know what they are talking about, and yet implies that he, the man, does know and is aware. When there is an argument between Ruth and Walter about what to use the money for and past investments that could have been made Walter claims that even though there are men that can get things done it’s “No thanks to colored women”( Hansberry 19). He then goes on to say that “ We are one group of men tied to a race of women with small minds”( Hansberry 19) essentially stating that it’s the women that are to blame for any issue that has to do with their household and community. Now while one can say that it is perhaps the heat of the moment and that he simply says such things due to him arguing with his wife, this would not be the case as he exemplifies this behavior at times when there is no such argument happening. When at the bar, a scene that takes place only in the movie and not the play, where Walter is talking about convincing Ruth to open the liquor store that “ if there’s anybody you can pursue to take a larger view on life, it’s a woman.” He believes that because he is the only man in the house that he is simply the only one capable of seeing the bigger picture regarding what to do with the money. That the women that are in his life are simply small-minded and incapable of allowing him to do what he must for the family to succeed. That it’s his masculinity that allows him to be this enlightened thinker that he believes to be, one that can see the truth amidst the darkness of women. This air of superiority that he cares due to being a man and wanting to be the man of the house is what will eventually lead him to make the biggest mistake that he could in which he gave not only his money away but also all of the money that was supposed to be put aside for Beneatha to pay for her medical school. He wanted to take control and prove that he knew what was best for his family despite the constant arguments against such from Ruth and Benethea. Even though Walter would constantly put down the women in the family and say of these demeaning things about them or just women in general we see that after it is found out what has happened with the money and how BoBo ran away with it all Walter would collapse to the floor, but then reach towards Mama almost looking for comfort. Despite wanting to be the man of the house and saying all of these hurtful things that he had said before he still turns to her in his hour of most dire need. He turned to the women of the house when he made a mistake that could ruin the rest of their lives. If Walter had not had his mind clouded by notions of toxic masculinity and misogyny then he could have seen how Mama wanted what was best for the family and would have acted accordingly, even if he did not like that it was the best outcome possible, rather than take a chance and lose the money. 

In the end, it was Walter’s distrust of women that caused him to make the mistake that he did at the end of the work. If he had recognized the ability and intelligence of the very capable woman that surrounded him then the Younger family would have been in a better place come the end of the story.

Do you believe that Walter is simply a product of his time or are his views extreme and harsh even for them?

Do you believe that Walter s misogynistic views are intended to be a foil to the character of Benethea who is a staunch feminist?

Work Cited

Susskind, David, et al. A Raisin in the Sun. Columbia Tristar Home Video, 1999. Morrin, Maxine Alice. Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Research & Education Association, 1994.

Hi I’m Joe from Long Island and I’m a freshman psychology major. I have a little brother in high school and a dog named Carly. I like to hang out with friends, listen to music and travel. Right now I’m reading Sister Outsider by Audrey Lorde and my favorite artist is Lana del Ray.