Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In the Sun depicts the struggles of three generations of the Younger family in the 1950’s of South Side Chicago. The nucleus of the family Lena Younger “Mama” is portrayed as a generous and wise woman throughout the text. Hansberry introduces us to Mama and describes her through the stage directions as “being a woman with “a dark brown face” which is “surrounded by the total whiteness of her hair” also a woman “who has adjusted to many things in life and overcome many more.” The total whiteness of her hair is nuanced; it represents an image of aging as well as sage. Mama quickly assumes her role as head of the home as she enters. Through dialogue she quickly displays her everlasting knowledge and good judgment in raising children. “When it starts getting chilly in the fall a child ought to have some hot grits or something when he goes out in the cold.” Mama’s prudence is further conveyed in her skepticism and towards Walter opening the liquor store. “Well whether they drinks it or not ain’t none of my business. But whether I go into business selling it to em is, and I don’t want that on my ledger this late in life.” Mama always asserts her Christian principles and offers to lend a helping hand in her family’s lives. She always senses superficiality about one of her family member’s and offers advice on how to overcome the situation. This is portrayed in her advice to Ruth to stay home from work. “I’ll just call her up and say you got the flu…cause it sounds respectable to em. Something white people get, too. They know bout the flu. Otherwise they think you been cut up or something when you tell em you sick.” Mama’s prudence is further portrayed in her plan for the insurance money. “Some of it got to be put away for Beneatha and her schoolin…been thinking that we maybe could meet the notes on a little old two story somewhere…if we use part of the insurance for a down payment and everybody kind of pitch in. I could maybe take on a little day work again, few days a week.” Additionally, we note her sage in her immediate ability to notice Ruth’s sickness. “Ruth honey-what’s the matter with you-you sick?” Mama quickly but subtly assumes Ruth’s pregnancy. Furthermore, Mama is knowledgeable as to how to respond to every family member depending on the situation. In the situation with Mama, she quickly switches to the nurturing and caring aspect of her character to resolve the situation. She has a heart-to-heart chat with her son. She apologizes if she has ever done him wrong and reaffirms her faith in him. To She hands over an envelope with $6,500. She directs Walter to reserve $3,000 for Beneatha’s schooling, and the rest to be saved in a checking account under Walter’s name. She knows that if she doesn’t allow Walter to assume the role as head of the house it would crush him.