Pride

"He talked Brotherhood. He said everybody ought to learn how to sit down and hate each other with good Christian fellowship."
A Raisin in the Sun, pg. 121

On of the main themes and motivations of the actions of the characters in A Raisin in the Sun  is pride and its profound effects on people. Every member of the family seems to have pride. In the end, if motivates Walter to not sell the house to Lindner, which is shown in how he interprets Lindner's visit above. It causes Beneatha to want to be a doctor, and to be against assimilation. It is the driving force behind Mama not wanting the n word used in her house. The entire family is proud, too proud to be happy with the life they have been given. Although it doesn't do any good to have no pride, I think the pride of the family members sometimes keeps them from being happy, because they won't do things that could make them happy because they think it is too lowly. In other times, like when Walter stands up to Lindner, pride creates a happy ending. Finally, a happy ending AND a well-written story. They do exist in AP Lit!