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Major Themes In A Raisin In The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry

This compares to Hansberry’s personal experience where her father moved her family into a predominantly white community and her family was rejected and threatened because of their race. In A Raisin in the Sun by Hansberry, nature is presented in many lines throughout the story. The story’s overall plot involves dreams, a natural aspect of humans, as the main characters fight to deal with the depression that surrounds them. The title first off gives the impression of the story centering on nature. Langston Hughes wonders if the dreams he wrote about were forgotten or just put away.

  • You therefore don’t have a point of view like you would have with a short story or novel.
  • On the other hand, Walter’s wife shares her vision with Mama and hopes that their son Trivis will find the world a better place to live.
  • She uses snow and ice as a way to point out that something is frozen and motionless just like paralysis.
  • The problem of moving into a White neighborhood lies in the future.

Petrie, however, downplays Joseph’s influence and in fact removes the very action that demonstrates Beneatha’s defiance of society’s oppression. Hansberry leads the reader to support the characters and their determination to rise above oppression. Petrie however, presents and develops the characters in a manner which leads the audience to conclude that although this family has been oppressed they are partially responsible. Words are more open for interpretation if they are just in print form. On the other hand, when the words come to life through interactions the tone and attitudes are less open to interpretation. Everyone in the younger family want something different out of the inheritance money.

Race, Discrimination, And Assimilation

Racism is the hatred by a person of one race pointed at a person of another race. The United States has grown up to improve as a whole but this process writemyessay is a…… Another one of Beneatha’s suitors, Asagai, is a student from Nigeria who is very proud of his African heritage. In contrast to the others, Asagai looks at money as a way of helping others, not benefitting himself. His ultimate dream is to return to Africa and help bring about change and advancements. Asagai talks about his dream with Beneatha and says, “I will go home, and much of what I say will seem strange to the people of my village… But I will teach and work, and things will happen, slowly and swiftly.

All through the play, Walter is the stereotypical African-American man of the mid-20th century. He serves as the head of the family who strives to provide for his family. Walter’s prime dream is to see and ensure the stability of his financial stability and that of his family . His aspirations are therefore not self-centered and are instead focused on the overall prosperity of the persons who are related to him. In the quest for economic progress, Walter encounters numerous difficulties and hitches, which cause him great frustration.

a raisin in the sun theme essay

The play A Raisin In The Sun essay highlights the dreams of each family member and their plans on how they intend to use the money from the death of Mr. Younger, Mama’s husband. Mama, or Lena, wishes to use the money to purchase a new home for the benefit of the family in which her daughter-in-law Ruth agrees. Beneatha or Bennie, her daughter, wants the money to pay for her medical school tuition, while Walter Lee or Walter, Mama’s son has a great interest in using the money to open a liquor shop.

The Character Of Beneatha Younger In A Raisin In The Sun

An introduction to the play by the Westport Country Playhouse, which staged a production directed by Phylicia Rashad in 2012. With the much-anticipated April 3 opening of a new Broadway revival starring Denzel Washington, “A Raisin in the Sun” is again in the spotlight — though for teachers the groundbreaking play has been a classroom staple for decades. First performed on Broadway in 1959, “Raisin” last appeared there 10 years ago, then starring Phylicia Rashad, Sean Combs, Audra McDonald and Sanaa Lathan, a production that was later adapted for television edit my essay. The two above plays, together with the original, were referred to by Kwei-Armah as “The Raisin Cycle” and were produced together by Baltimore’s Center Stage in the 2012–2013 season. The 2013 play by Kwame Kwei-Armah entitled Beneatha’s Place follows Beneatha after she leaves with Asagai to Nigeria and, instead of becoming a doctor, becomes the Dean of Social Sciences at a respected California university.

a raisin in the sun theme essay

The manner in which Hansberry presents these problems and the skill with which she weaves them into the basic theme of the work attest the artistry of the playwright. “What defines a man?” is a critical question that Hansberry struggles with throughout the entire play. In many ways, the most debilitating affronts Walter faces are those which relate to his identity as a man, whether it be in his role as father, husband, or son.

A Raisin In The Sun And Harlem Analysis

Family life is not suited for everyone though, especially not for Beneatha Younger. Every so often, family can repulse an individual and they will find their true selves far away from home. The character Beneatha from Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, is a prime example of this. Beneatha had trouble discovering her own identity so she tried out a number of hobbies and activities. Throughout all of this, the only steady thing in Bennie’s life was her family and she relied on them heavily. By sticking close to her family and not venturing out as an individual, Beneatha could not answer the questions about the world she held close to her heart.

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