Point of no return

A Raisin in the Sun
Lorraine Hansberry

In this play, characters faced decisions that would lead them to the "point of no return". One example of this type of decision occurred when Ruth discovered her pregnancy. As first implied by Mama, Ruth visited an abortionist. Ruth feared that she could not support another child, so she considered having an abortion. She even went as far a putting a down payment on the abortion. "Yes I would too, Walter. I gave her a five-dollar down payment" (Hansberry, 75). A decision of having an abortion is one that cannot be undone. Ruth could have carried on with the abortion, but after the procedure, she could not undo the death of the child. Death is the most permanent decision on earth. These unchangeable decisions alter the life of the character. Deciding to have the abortion would have changed all of Ruth's relationships. In addition, by keeping the baby, Ruth kept herself from the grief associated with abortion. Keeping the baby prevented Ruth from going beyond the "point of no return".