Literary choices: Title

        Why is the book titled A Raisin in The Sun? After doing some research, it is discovered that the title is derived from a popular Langston Hughes poem, "A Dream Deferred". After more research, I unearthed that Langston Hughes was a Harlem Renaissance writer. While the play is not literally about a dried grape basking in sunlight, it certainly holds quite a few deferred dreams. I found it quite witty to have a title that can not be deciphered with mere observation, but one that takes effort to discern.

        The word defer literally means to put off or postpone, so a deferred dream is referencing the idea of putting something off until tomorrow because maybe the time wasn't right or the situation didn't allow for it. Each character has deferred dreams, to those of home-ownership to education. "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?" is the question posed by Hughes. A Raisin in The Sun tells of dreams that were not possible that dry up in hopes of a better tomorrow.

Langston Hughes

Symbols

The most overt symbol in the play is Mama’s plant. It represents both Mama’s care and her dream for her family.  She confesses that the plant never gets enough light or water, but she takes pride in how it nevertheless flourishes under her care. Even without the luxury of having more than needed but at least the necessary she is able to keep alive this plant. Her care for her plant is similar to her care for her children in a way, unconditional and unending despite a less-than-perfect environment for growth.
The plant also symbolizes her dream to own a house and, more specifically, to have a garden and a yard. With her plant, she practices her gardening skills for when she will eventually needs them.Her success with the plant helps her believe that she would be successful as a gardener. Her persistence and dedication to the plant fosters her hope that her dream may come true some day.

Feminism in A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry comprises of a myriad of representations of feminism. The female characters of the play are not completely the traditional, American types of women.  Mama, Ruth, and Beneatha each manifest feministic qualities that venture away from the stereotypes that many individuals have about females in 20th-century America.  

Beneatha, an aspiring medical school student, boldly states  “Listen, I’m going to be a doctor. I’m not worried about who I’m going to marry yet-- if I ever get married” (50). Unlike the average view of an American woman, Beneatha takes on the challenge of completing medical school to become a doctor. Although she has Asagai in her life for some time, her choosing to earn an education supports the argument that women do not need men to be successful in life and that women can do the same things as men. Her view on opportunity can be linked to Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/ows/seminars/tcentury/FeminineMystique.pdf

Ruth is an individual who portrays the typical role of a woman in a relationship as she sits home and cooks and cleans for the Younger’s household. In contrary to the homemaking role that she is labeled with in the play, Ruth is also a house servant to wealthy people: “I can’t stay home…. I got to go in. We need money,” (42-43).  This defies the view of women not being capable of performing jobs outside of their household.

In terms of Mama, her assertiveness serves as an accurate example of how Hansberry uses feminist representations in her female characters. When talking about Beneatha’s future, she puts her foot down and ensures the family that money would be put away for her tuition: “...ain’t nothing gonna touch that part of it. Nothing” (44).
                                                     
                                                     

Theme: Pride

        Pride is portrayed in an extremely strong sense in A Raisin in the Sun. Since the play is illustrating a family with little else to their name, pride is a means for them to hold on to their dignity and promote their worth as human beings. When the neighborhood representative comes to their door and offers to buy out their house, the family is not resilient to kick him out. This decision is showcased as a conflict between pride and money. In the end, pride wins out in the Younger family.

        "The furnishings of this room were actually selected with care and love and even hope" (1.1), showing that even their furniture radiated a sense of pride at one point. Age is a respectful thing, and the Younger family is no exception to this principle. They see the value in what things once were; in furniture and people.Through unhappiness, poverty, selfishne
ss, fighting, the Younger family will always have their pride, and that shows their strength.

The Maturation Process of Walter

Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry constructs Walter’s character in a complex way. Early in the play, Hansberry portrays Walter as a selfish, narcissistic man who wants to lead his family but cannot fathom his personal weakness: immaturity.

Sean "Diddy" Combs as Walter Younger

Walter has ample opportunities to support his family but is oftentimes blinded by his overzealous goals. His lack of concern for the Younger’s desires’ are displayed through his actions. He possesses an uncanny ability to shut the goals of his family members down. To reciprocate this, Beneatha sarcastically implies that Walter, like many other men, will “lead [them] out of the wilderness [and] into the swamps” (38).

Walter’s clash with his family resembles a lack of experience. Replacing the role of his father, which seems to be his intent, is not a simple task. Walter struggles with gaining the acceptance of his family because of his varying wishes for the Younger’s.

Toward the end of the play, readers have a chance to evaluate Walter as he molds into the man that he always expects to be. Upon receiving a housing opportunity in an unaccepting, predominantly-white neighborhood, Walter expects to “put on a show” and accept Mr. Lindner’s offer (142). After losing the insurance money with his investment partner, he exemplifies maturity by declining the offer. This is the first time Walter makes such a pivotal decision without being harassed by his family. Walter displays the qualities of a real leader.

Walter, ultimately, put his dreams for riches aside, and his family’s interest first, by declining this offer. Mama finally recognizes the authority of Walter. She says, “ My son said we was going to move and there ain’t nothing left for me to say” (148-149). Walter Younger was able to acknowledge his family’s wants without placing emphasis on his own.

Connecting link: http://allpoetry.com/Maturity

(This is a link to a poem by Philip Larkin that poetically describes a common maturation process)

Biblical Allusion

Mr. Lindner comes to the Younger residence to tell them they are not wanted in Clybourne Park and offers them more than what they paid to not take up residence in the neighborhood. When he says this, Beneatha replies saying, “Thirty pieces and not a coin less!” (118). This is a biblical allusion to when Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane. His arrest sealed by Judas’ kiss was the beginning of the path that lead to His crucifixion as prophesized. Thirty pieces of silver was the price Judas was paid to hand Jesus over to the Roman Empire. To make matters worse, in that time period, thirty pieces of silver was around the price that one would pay for a slave thus suggesting that He was worth that of a slave rather than the Messiah. As one of Jesus’ disciples, Judas made the ultimate betrayal and returned the money out of guilt after Jesus was arrested. It wasn’t until he saw the consequences of his actions that he realized not enough money in the world was enough to make such a betrayal. In the same way, Beneatha believes that there is no offer nor monetary amount large enough to convince them, or her at least, to leave Clybourne Park and move to a predominately black community. Making such a deal would be underestimating the Younger family’s worth and thus encouraging discrimination and the idea that whites should live with whites and blacks should live with blacks.

Standing Up to Racial Discrimination

The Younger’s family perseveres through all the discrimination that they are faced with and that has evidently been a theme towards the end of the story. Mr. Lindner tries to talk the Younger’s family out of occupying the house because the “majority of our people out there” (the people of Clybourne Park) do not want Negroes living in their neighborhood. “Our association is prepared… to buy the house from you at a financial gain to your family.” (118). Lindner tries to bribe the Younger’s family to not move in their house by offering more than what they had paid for the house in the first place. Although this would be beneficial financially to the Younger’s family, they shut it down and they don’t even consider the offer; hence Walter firmly stating, “Get out of my house, man.” (119), shortly after Lindner had proposed the deal.

            The Younger’s displayed their strength to fend off discrimination and take deep pride into their race. “I come from five generations of people who was slaves and sharecroppers… ain’t nobody in my family never let nobody pay ‘em no money that was a way of telling us we wasn’t fit to walk the earth.” (143). The Younger’s defiance to stand up against the racial discrimination resembles Martin Luther King Junior’s  idea of Civil disobedience to stop racism. They do not give in and show weakness to the “crackers” because that will only prolong the means of discrimination.

http://theindependent.ca/2014/01/20/dr-martin-luther-king-strategies-and-tactics-of-civil-disobedience/

Juxtaposition

Beneatha embraces her heritage.

One prominent literary device Hansberry uses is juxtaposition. There are multiple instances of this usage spanning the length of the novel, but one in particular is very clear.

Beneatha is first seen in a romantic context with Asagai, the current man of her choosing, in the second scene. The two bicker, but it is clear that they care for one another and have been learning from one another over the course of their relationship. Upon first seeing him, Beneatha says, "Asagai, I'm very glad you are back." (61). Asagai brings her gifts and, though he seems a bit harsh, he tries to teach Beneatha to be herself and not lose her identity and heritage.


The rapport between Beneatha and George tells a different story. For starters, we as the readers have already heard that Beneatha is not very fond of George, and only goes out with him to satisfy her family. "Oh, I just mean I couldn't ever really be serious about George. He's--he's so shallow," Beneatha states when Mama and Ruth ask why George's money and status aren't enough for Beneatha (48). Later, when George and Beneatha share their first scene together, Beneatha has just cut her hair and George does not approve. "What have you done to your head--I mean your hair!" he exclaims, and then later calls the new look "eccentric" (80). Like the Youngers, George disagrees with Beneatha's radical tendencies.

George does not approve; Beneatha is indignant.

These two scenes, which both feature Beneatha, her suspected beau, traditional African style, and the idea of assimilationism show how the two men are extreme opposites. Asagai stands for all that is radical in he modern word of the mid-20th century, while George still clings to the traditional values he shares with the rest of the Youngers. By contrasting these two men, Hansberry symbolizes the constant battle between old and new, static and dynamic, safe and dangerous, and highlights the ever-present obstacle that is the generation gap.

Theme

            A Raisin in the Sun's theme could be interpreted several ways. There are many different themes throughout this play, but the most important and most evident is the importance of family and pride in a family. This theme truly comes to light in the last scene of the play when everything unravels and the play comes to a conclusion.

Beneatha, Walter, and Mama are tired, apathetic and ready to give up on each other. This is the lowest point of despair that we have seen the Younger’s sink to. The importance of family in this story is unmistakable, especially when Beneatha rejects Walter as a brother for losing the money. Mama stresses the importance of family when she says, “he’s at his lowest and can’t believe in hisself” (pg 145).  Beneatha and Walter both grow into strong adults after this moment, realizing the impact of Mamas words. Walter says to Lindner, “We don’t want your money” (pg 148) and his family, including Beneatha, support this decision. This single line summarizes Walters’s journey in becoming a man. As I stated in my last blog , Walter is a dynamic character who, in the end, grows up to be a man who realizes the importance of having pride in one's family. If the Younger’s can overcome this and stay together, then they can stay together through anything.

Even though families may go through rough times, Hansberry shows that a strong family is not only invincible, but can also learn to love unconditionally and have pride in each other. As Mama put it, “There is always something left to love” (pg 145) and it is important to never lose sight of that with family.

Themes

The importance of family is a constant reoccurring theme which can be found through-out the entire play. The Youngers family struggles both socially and economically from the beginning to the end of the play. Socially, the Youngers is a black family facing various problems such as discrimination and being judged by color rather than their personality and values. Economically they are very poor going from pay check to pay check hoping some day they will catching break (the insurance money coming in from the death of their father) instead of going out making a change for themselves. However one thing would unite them all together, their dream of buying a new house.

Mama strongly believes in the importance of family, and she tries to teach this value to her family as she struggles to keep them together and functioning. Walter and Beneatha learn this lesson about family at the end of the play, when Walter must deal with the loss of the stolen insurance money and Beneatha denies Walter as a brother. Even facing such trauma, they come together to reject Mr. Lindner’s racist overtures. This portrays the significance of family and how the Youngers can come all together to face problem. Individually they are strong but united almost nothing will be impossible for the family. Furthermore now putting each others dreams before their own, they are able to reach their family's dream too.

Theme: Romantic Complications

Throughout the novel, the romantic relationships between major characters serve as a central theme. Each protagonist who is part of a relationship suffers a conflict because of it.

The first scene shows the reader how strained the relationship is between Ruth and Walter Lee. The two immediately start bickering once they're awake and reminisce on how their relationship used to be--before it became the deteriorated version it is now. "Just for second it was - - you looked real young again," Walter states in the morning while Ruth is stirring eggs. "It's gone now - - you look like yourself again!" (27) Through this statement, Walter demonstrates that their relationship is not what it once was, foreshadowing the bigger problems that are to come for the couple.

Another relationship that complicates matters is the one between Mama and Big Walter Lee. Though the latter is no longer living, this relationship still has a big impact on the events of the novel. Mama talks of Walter as of he is still alive, and remembers him fondly. "I remember just as well the day me and Big Walter moved in here." (44). She even bases some of her decisions off of what she thinks he would have done--this relationship definitely impacts the plot.

Finally, the relationship between Beneatha and Asagai creates its own form of drama. The two have little fights that touch on big issues like cultural appropriation and sexism. "I am not an assimilationist!" protests Beneatha in response to one of Asagai's remarks (63). Just like the other couples in this novel, Beneatha and Asagai have plenty of problems that they must solve, or sacrifice the relationship.

All of the relationships in the novel are strained in some way, and this strain feeds the fuel of the major conflicts in the story.
 

Underlying Theme in A Raisin in the Sun

When analyzing A Raisin in the Sun, it is rather difficult to decipher a single, clear-cut theme that Lorraine Hansberry incorporates into the lives of the Younger family. Family, racial discrimination, and big dreams all seem to be reoccurring matters throughout the play. When all aspects are considered, though, there is an underlying theme in this piece of literature. This is the idea that money is the root of all evil.
The frequent use of money proves to be an essential piece to the plot's puzzle. Money is prevalent from early on in the play and is brought into existence a surfeit amount of times. In the early stages of A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry allows readers to infer that Walter intends to use the insurance check to invest in his liquor store. "You mean that liquor store that Willy Harris want him to invest in?" (42). This causes friction between the Youngers, and can, in time, lead to the downfall of Walter and his struggling family. Not only does money have a negative effect on the household here, but it also seems to cause conflict when Travis asks for fifty cents for school. Although Ruth tells Travis that they can not afford it, Walter pridefully offers to give him money. The conflicting interests of the couple foreshadows that they will have a rocky relationship throughout the play. When Mr. Lindner offers to give the Youngers a bribe in return for their Clybourne Park residence, the family has split feelings, and Walter is in favor of it. This disagreement has the power to rupture the relationship the Youngers have with each other.
Hansberry makes the use of money a crucial factor in A Raisin in the Sun. This intrinsic reappearance is a significant theme in the play's duration.
   

Desire to Defy the Odds

Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, the Younger family encounters several fates that are beyond their control. They are oftentimes embraced with racism, financial instability, and stereotypes, among a host of other issues. Regardless of the hardships that the family faced, the Younger's display a desire to defy the odds through their actions.

Through the actions of Walter Younger, readers gain insight on the family’s intent of thwarting poverty. Walter is portrayed as a persistent man who is not afraid to oppose his family’s beliefs or opinions. He has a vision of getting the Younger’s out of poverty by using his father’s insurance check to invest in a liquor store. He fears that he and his family is at an unfair advantage due to uncontrollable factors. Walter says, “Sometimes… I pass… restaurants where them white boys are sitting back… turning deals worth millions of dollars…” (74). He feels that his family is capable of replicating success that white families have.

Beneatha attempts to defy odds by becoming a doctor after graduating from school. Her dreams often manifest doubt through other characters, including her brother, Walter Lee. As a family, it is implied that siblings would support each other’s actions. During a misunderstanding, Walter questions, “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people – then go be a nurse like other women – or just get married and be quiet . . .” (38) Beneatha hopes to elude such comments of doubt by achieving what no other women usually achieves.

The Younger’s have goals both as a family and as individuals. In spite of all of the hardships they face, each member wants to overcome poverty by defying common odds that are placed against them.

A Parent’s Desire for His/Her Child

Beneatha Younger does not seem to care about money. She “flits” from one expensive hobby to another (47). Unlike the other members of the family, she seems to have no limits, although the money spent on her horseback riding, camera equipment, acting lessons, and guitar lessons could be used for more financially relevant things. This could be why Walter Lee is so frustrated by her desire to go to medical school. He feels as though he and Ruth have sacrificed enough and it should be his turn to get a shot at his dream. He is frustrated with the fact that Mama is so willing to fulfill Beneatha’s wishes yet so resistant to support his.

Mama’s willingness to fulfill her daughter’s requests, is the same way Walter treats Travis. When Travis asks for money, Walter gives it to him. When Beneatha decides she wants to take up another hobby, Mama barely resists. Like any parent, she just wants to see her daughter succeed and have a better life than she has. She already gave “up one baby to poverty and [she] ain’t going to give up nary another one” (75). Walter has already been given up to poverty but Beneatha still has a chance. She has the chance to get the education they never had and succeed in a way they never have. Same with Travis, he has the chance to get the education they never had and succeed in a way they never have. That’s why Walter fanaticizes about Travis “sitting on the floor with the catalogues of all the great schools in America around [him]” (109). He wants to pave the way for his son’s success. But, he cannot seem to find a way to do it without that ten thousand dollars.

Mighty Mama

OH MAMA! She really is the heart and soul of the Younger’s family. Things were getting out of hand so she flexed her muscles and showed off her characterized traits of being a strong woman and the leader of the family.

“I just seen my family falling apart today… When it gets like that in life –you just got to do something different, push on out and do something bigger…” (94). Lena bought a house. She was upset and furious with the cluster at home and wanted to make a change, just like how a coach will change things up to try and help his losing team. Mama is just trying to guide her family in a better direction and took charge. Her purchasing the house without consent of the others shows her authority. Just like that, she can add a dynamic change to the story and setting with just a simple, yet grand action.

“Walter Lee—it makes a difference in a man when he can walk on floors that belong to him.” (92). In theory, the newly owned house will hypothetically improve Walter’s behavior and perspective on things; one of the main reasons why Mama bought the house was to, hopefully, straighten up Walter and make him start acting like a man. She is switching the location of her team in hopes that a better environment for her team will cause them to have a better season.

Although Mama is no doubt the Alpha Dog of this pack, she also is the most loving and caring character. She is mighty like Superman, but just like Superman, she has a soft spot, a weakness. “So you butchered up a dream of mine—you—who always talking ‘bout your children’s dream…” (95). Her son’s disappointment and crushed dream really gets to her and makes her think heavily, it is her kryptonite. She wanted to make a change and she did, but she lost a part of her son in doing so.

Walter as a Dynamic Character

The Younger Family has faced many challenges in this play and many of the characters respond to these challenges in different ways. Walter Lee is a dynamic character who changes several times throughout this story as a result from the conflicts.

            When we first meet Walter he is very ambitious and wants more out of his life. He says, “I got me a dream” (pg 33) and he is motivated to change his life and achieve his dream. He was hopeful that his dream could become reality and he showed this when he begged his family for the money for a liquor store. He was almost naïve in a sense to think that Mama would use the money for that reason.

            Walters first change in character came when Mama crushed his dreams and he found out his wife was pregnant again. He was shocked and did not know what to do or say. He became a mess going out and getting drunk and missing work. Walter could not handle the situation. He went from hopeful to hopeless and was drudging around feeling sorry for himself.

            His outlook on life changed again when Mama gave him some money from the check and told him, “I’m telling you to be the head of this family from now on like you supposed to be” (pg 107).  From that moment on Walter became more responsible and loving taking on a greater leadership position in the family. This change was evident right away as his dreams returned while talking to Travis about driving a, “plain black Chrysler” (pg 108).  He also stepped up when Karl Lindner first came to their house talking about business. Walters change in his view of life proves that he is a dynamic character. 

Anakin Skywalker: one of the greatest Dynamic characters of all time. 

Act II, scene ii

The conversation that Beneatha and George have when they get back from their date is a further explanation of Beneatha's division from the white culture of the time period. Their conversation show Beneatha's and George's very different values when it comes to education. This is the first moment where a division is sensed between the two. Beneatha sees education as  way to love yourself and be proud. George sees education as a way to get money and impress people with what you have. Beneatha wants to educate society through knowledge of herself and her culture, however, George wants education to earn money so he can be judged by his economic status. Beneatha sees how George has no problem giving up his culture to give in to white culture so she kicks him out, describing him as a "fool".
Beneatha and her mother's use of the word "fool" shows and allusion to Booker T. Washington and his role in the division of black and white culture. Mama calls Washington a "fool" when talking to Mrs. Johnson. The same word is also used by Beneatha to describe George when he kicks her out. Using the same word to describe both of them shows a connection between the two. Washington was historically a hero to many in the black community while he assimilation to America at the time. By the 1950s, may African-Americans had turned against him and his ideas. They saw his idea of "mainstream America" as "white America". The African-Americans of the time were not ready to give up their culture for white people.

                                                                Booker T. Washington

The Use of Southern Dialect in A Raisin in the Sun

Lorraine Hansberry creates an authentic scenery of the African-American family of the mid-20th century in her play, A Raisin in the Sun. As Hansberry employs the use of Southern dialect in the dialogue of characters, readers can grasp a realistic view of how African-Americans truly are in this time period of America’s history. This technique is effective because it paves way for readers to expand their understanding of who the characters really are. Mama told Beneatha “You must not dislike people ‘cause they well off, honey” (50). This statement from Mama is just one of the plethora of examples of Southern dialect the author uses in this play. Hansberry escapes from the normal standards of the English language and puts a Southern, African-American twist to it. Instead of simply stating the words “because” and “they’re”, she uses “‘cause” and “they”.

The dialect that Hansberry emphasizes in A Raisin in the Sun can closely be related to the dialect Christopher Paul Curtis uses in The Watsons Go To Birmingham- 1963. Momma is a Southerner at heart who moves to Flint, Michigan with her family and cannot bare the cold weather. Her Southern drawl is vital to the style of this novel, as readers are able to get an in-depth characterization on the family. Here is a link to the story: http://casita5th.weebly.com/uploads/2/6/4/4/2644763/the_watsons_go_to_birmingham1963.pdf

Hansberry includes this Southern-like dialogue throughout the whole play. Travis says "...don't she want to be rich?"(69). Ruth questions "When we moving?" (92). This type of speech puts readers' minds in the realm of what African-American households are like in this time period. Ultimately, this creates an enticing story line for this play.

Cowardly Lee (Walter Lee Characterization)

Act I, Scene II has exposed a lot about Walter Lee Younger’s personality. Throughout Act I, Scene II, Lorraine Hansberry does a wonderful job using actions to show the selfishness, stubbornness, and cowardice of Walter.

            In the opening scene, Walter is asked about the whereabouts of his wife and his response was, “(As he exits) How should I know!” (55). After that was said, he leaves the building and off to go pursue his wants. How can a husband not even care where his supposed loved one is and just go about his day like nothing happened? He is selfish for only worrying about himself and what he has to do to make the investment in the liquor store. Walter’s only worry is the “check”. As soon as he comes in on page 70, he immediately states, “Did it come?’ asking if the check was delivered yet. Walter is so concerned and caught up with spending the 10 thousand dollars that he doesn’t even consider what anyone else wants to do with the money.

(GIF edited by Andrew He)

            Walter refuses to turn down his idea and dream in investing in a liquor store. I understand that, he is chasing his dream of becoming rich, but he dismisses all other possible ways of fulfilling his dream. Clearly Mama is not going to support investing in a liquor store because it is against her belief, but Walter still insists on pushing with investing in a liquor store. “You just don’t understand, Mama, you just don’t understand.” (74). Although his mother turns down his suggestion, Walter is stubborn it just won’t listen and continues to try and convince his mother to give in on his plan.

            “You… you are a disgrace to your father’s memory.” (75). When Walter needed to stand up, and do something about the difficult situation at hand, he just walks out the door. He couldn’t even stand up to his wife and do something about it. That has been a common action for him to do when things get frustrating and it just represents his cowardice, his lack of courage to face difficult situations. 

Symbols in "A rasin in the sun"

    One if the major symbols in a rasin in the sun is "eat your eggs." This is taken by Walter as an example of a setback- how women keep men from achieving their goals. In his eyes, women are supposed to view men as respectable and capable of achieving anything. By this logic, Ruth is silencing Walter's achievement potential by telling him "eat your eggs." The eggs symbolize swallowing your pride and accepting that you can't do anything about your life.
    Another symbol is mama's plant. Mama's plant symobolizes the care she gives to her family and also the dreams she has for the growth of the family. She openly states that the plant gets insufficient sunlight and water, yet still she has a sense of pride in it's existence. This plant is a symbol of the family. No matter how much nurturing and care is not recieved, it is still an accomplishment; something to be proud of.

Symbolism in A Raisin in the Sun

Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, readers witness a plethora of characters or items that are symbolic of something else. In the play, Lorraine Hansberry utilizes Mama as a symbol for many different aspects associated with the Younger family. Primarily, Mama symbolizes the glue that holds her family together.

In the wake of her husband’s death, Mama has every reason to lose control within her household. Yet, she maintains order and reminds everyone that she makes the decisions in the Younger household. She insists that Beneatha is “so thin” and tells her to get a robe and to “put it on” (40). Making sure her presence is being felt, Mama is heavily relies on delivering commands.

Her role seems to manifest into that of a husband in this time period. Mama represents power, a force that is able to tie the family together despite conflicting views and ideas.

Her intelligence and experience serves as an adhesive and continues to keep everyone under her order. When Beneatha begins to question the existence of God, Mama confronts her and says, “I just ain’t going to have you ‘round here reciting the scriptures in vain…” (46). Mama’s assertiveness is mildly restoring the peace within the dream-driven household.

Mama takes responsibility over the household. Her nitpicking ways are leading Ruth to believe that her mother-in-law should spend the insurance money on herself, and Ruth encourages her to “pack up and leave” on a trip by herself (43). In essence, Mama has been enduring an ample amount of hardships. Her commitment to her family continues to connect the Younger’s.

Mama (Lena Younger)

Watching Mama’s character unfold will certainly be exciting. She has an uncanny ability to rekindle her family in a time of despair. Mama’s assertion merely reflects her vision for her family.

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/240300

(This link is a poem by Jean Toomer that correlates to overcoming adversity. Mama is able to overcome her husband’s death and can maintain order in the household.)

Cultural Values (pgs 40-80, spoilers)

In literature and other media, when a woman finds out she's pregnant, it's usually a happy circumstance or a good omen. However, this is not the case in A Raisin in the Sun. The Youngers cannot afford another mouth to feed; their house can't fit another bed. Ruth knows this, and sees her pregnancy as a dismal development, as does Beneatha. We see this when the latter exclaims, "Where is he going to live, on the roof?" (58). She immediately takes it back, but the question still makes the point perfectly clear: This baby is not a blessing.

However, Mama Younger still harbors traditional values. She looks upon the baby as a miracle: "I sure hope it's a little old girl. Travis ought to have a sister." (57). Her positive outlook is indicative of Mama's values, and the values traditionally held by families in the mid-20th century. When Ruth implies that she wants to abort the baby, Mama is incredulous. "Your wife say she going to destroy your child," she says to Walter. "And I'm waiting to hear you...say we a people who give children life, not who destroys them..." (75). Mama believes abortion is wrong, because that's how she was brought up, but Ruth knows she has to do what's best for the family that's already out of the womb.

This clash of beliefs and culture creates one of the major conflicts of this novel. The decision of whether or not to keep the baby is creating a rift in the already-strained Younger family. Arguments of this nature are timeless, and still occur today in many families across the globe. Everyone from teenagers to politicians has an opinion over the morality of abortion. (See link). The Youngers will have to find the balance between tradition and practicality in order to make the right decision.

Major Turning Point

            A major turning point in this story is when Mama “went downtown” (90) to buy a new house in an all white neighborhood. Mama was tired of seeing her family struggling and “falling to pieces in front of [her] eyes” (94). Ruth’s first reaction to the news was one of shock, and rightly so. When she got over the shock of being in an all white neighborhood she went crazy with relief, running all over the house screaming and praising God that she no longer has to live in their “beat-up hole” (32). Now that they are out of the dilapidated apartment they are potentially moving into a hostile environment. This completely changes the direction of the play.

The post WWII time period was not a very friendly time period for African Americans and Ruth shows her realization of this through her initial reaction of astonishment. The Younger’s are trading one evil for another; the first one being their financial situation and the new one being racism and prejudice. They probably have already fallen victim to racism many times in their life but the new area will prove to be far worse than first imagined. Ruth says, “’course I ain’t one never been ‘fraid of no crackers”, (93) but this will test her family. Being the only black family in a neighborhood back then is like having a huge target right on all of their backs. This plot twist will also help enhance the themes of family importance and racial advantage by showing the affects of racial discrimination on a family. The Younger’s will have to lean on each other more than ever before. 

Expectations

     The characters in “A Raisin In The Sun” have expectations for each other, and are disappointed when their expectations are not met. Walter is frustrated with his sister because she wants to go to medical school and become a doctor. He thinks she is being selfish and expects her to become a nurse or get married “like other women” (38).
     Like other women, Ruth is expected to keep her baby. Typically people are excited when they are expecting, but the harsh reality of the matter is that the Younger family does not have the means or the room to raise another child. “Where is he going to live, on the roof?” (58).
     When Walter is told of her plan to abort the baby, he does not believe it. He expects her to be like most women and be happy for the pregnancy. He can not fathom the idea that she would even think about getting rid of the baby. But, “when the world gets ugly enough —a woman will do any- thing for her family. The part thats already living.” (75).
     In response to the information she has divulged, Mama expects Walter to be more like his father. She asks him to accomplish an unrealistic task, “Be the man he was” (75). She wants him to stand up, put his foot down, and fight for his family. She waits, but he will not, he can not. In complete and utter frustration and disappointment, she exclaims, “you are a disgrace to your father's memory” (75).

Act II Scene I

In Act II Scene I, there is another instance where Beneatha is shown as a radical character. The character of Beneatha's actions were unlike any other character in any other play during that time period. She continued to be "different" and not act like the typical white person. It was very unique to have Beneatha threaten the white culture.
Beneatha's actions in Act II Scene I coincide with her dream in Act I Scene I to point out that Beneatha could be like any other person on the planet. Her dream to be a doctor and have money follows the typical "American Dream" to succeed and be happy through hard work, however, her actions of cutting her hair and the fight with her family show a radical character. She isn't the typical good, white girl that she is "supposed" to be, but she still is just like any other person with the American Dream.
Beneatha, in the play, represents the color barrier being broken as well as a girl who doesn't want to follow the typical goody two shoes girl of the time period. While her goal is to be successful and have money, it also as signs of being known and unique. She wants to make sure she is the best and can make money for herself. While she may not think she is helping other people, she is by showing what can be done when you have a big heart.

Link to explain the American Dream: http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-american-dream.htm

Charterer Analysis and Theme

Through out the novel many literary terms intervene in the story in order to incorporate a deeper meaning to the story For example, "Now the once loved patter of the couch upholstery has to fight to show itself from under acres of crocheted dollies and couch covers which have themselves finally come to be more important than the upholstery." (pg 1.) The imagery here portrays the degree of poverty they are enduring since the furniture is about past its time giving us an insight on their life. Not only this but the dialogue through the first act shows us the slang the Youngers' use. 

The title of the play references a conjecture that Langston Hughes famously posed in a poem he wrote about dreams that were forgotten or put off. He wonders whether those dreams shrivel up “like a raisin in the sun.” Right from the start we can infer a theme: the value and purpose of dreams. Most of the individuals have dreams but whose dream is the most important. The Younger's family dreams clash with each other as they argue and bicker over who deserves the money to fulfill a part of their dreams. Little do they know Ruth is pregnant and about to add a whole new mouth to feed and provide for. Is abortion the right decision here in order to save the family going deeper into poverty?


As Mama’s only son, Ruth’s defiant husband, Travis’s caring father, and Beneatha’s belligerent brother, Walter serves as both protagonist and antagonist of the play. The plot revolves around him and the actions that he takes, and his character evolves the most during the course of the act one and obviously through the rest. Throughout the play, Walter provides an every man perspective of the mid-twentieth-century African-American male. 

Themes in "A Rasin in the Sun"

      One recurring theme is the idea of unfulfilled dreams. Each character in A Raisin in the Sun has unfulfilled dreams, mainly involving money and the focus of the American Dream. "You tired aren't you? Tired of everything. Me, the boy, the way we live- this beat up hole- everything. Ain't you? (Pg. 32). Walter says this to Ruth after Travis leaves for school, seeing how unhappy she is with this lifestyle. This is clearly due to the lack of money, taking a toll on her happiness.
      Similarly, Walter expresses his disappointment in life, saying "I'm thirty-five years old; I been married eleven years and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room- and all I got to give him is stories about how rich white people live..." (Pg. 34). This shows clear discontentment in his lifestyle. Walter wishes for the American Dream but all he has is stories. He can’t give his son a nice house and a great lifestyle, but only stories about how the richer live.
     Walter’s discontentment and concern for money branch off to make his sister Beneatha unhappy for her decisions. Walter asks, “Have we figured out yet just exactly how much medical school is going to cost?” (Pg. 36). This concern is brought from his own desire for money. His mother gets insurance checks for the death of her husband and uses the money as she sees fit. Beneatha feels unhappy for her decisions because Walter makes her feel guilty for her decisions. The family as a unit is very unhappy with their lack of money and the theme of unfulfilled dreams is evident.

Imagery Displayed Throughout A Raisin in the Sun

Lorraine Hansberry uses imagery to set the impoverished and conflicted atmosphere the Younger's family lived through in A Raisin in the Sun.  This technique allows readers to depict the hardships and harsh reality of Chicago's South Side community. Using lines of cold, descriptive text, Hansberry puts forth a scenery of struggling times in an African-American household during the mid-20th century. Conflicts between Walter Lee and his family were described with great detail: "...slowly Walter Lee peeks around the boy to catch the violent rays from his wife's eyes and draws his head back as if shot" (31). Here, Hansberry does a superb job of painting a picture in the mind of readers. The clever author uses a well-structured sentence, enticing the reader to want to read more. The thought of a man being scornfully stared at by his wife comes to mind. This sentence, by itself, can solely alert the audience that there was a present conflict.

"The sole natural light the family may enjoy in the course of a day is only that which fights its way through this little window" (24). After reading this line of the play, it was rather effortless to determine that the Younger's were living in a poorer area.  The emphasis on the window's diminutive stature supports that they were a family-in- need.  This inference can be made when Hansberry describes the light that is revealed in the "little window."
On page 34,  imagery is prevalent when Ruth sets up an ironing board and "attacks a huge pile of rough-dried clothes, sprinkling them in preparation for the ironing and then rolling them into tight fat balls."  The illustration that is gathered from this sentence is impeccable.
Ultimately, Hansberry's use of imagery throughout this play contributes to the development of the story's plot.

Rhetorical Strategies in "A Raisin in the Sun"

Oftentimes, authors rely on a specific rhetorical strategy to develop a theme in a story. In A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry implements a myriad of rhetorical strategies, including personification, imagery, and symbolism, to convey the poverty the Younger family lives in.

Early on in the play, readers can sense the atmosphere of poverty through ample uses of personification. Hansberry emphasizes a couch which has been present in the Younger household before the birth of Mama's offspring. She says the couch "has to fight to show itself from under acres of crocheted doilies and couch covers" (23). The worn, ancient couch portrays the extensive length of time that it has been around.

The incorporation of imagery also exemplifies the struggle the Younger's are encountering. Hansberry describes a "sole natural light which fights its way through this little window" (24). The "little" window Hansberry describes correlates to a home in the slums (24). Hansberry also references how the Younger's share one bathroom. She explains the bathroom is "an outside hall... which is shared by another family or families on the same floor" (25). It is clear that such a bathroom is found in predominantly impoverished areas.

Beneatha symbolizes opportunity and hope. She has aspirations "to be a doctor" (36). Beneatha's dream of becoming a doctor merely represents the potential for the Younger's to move out of Chicago's Southside. A medical school's cost is expectantly high, but such an opportunity for Beneatha will remove her family from the slums.

Beneatha Younger

Hansberry appears to have a vast amount of rhetorical strategies in her literary toolbox, so readers can expect to witness more and more from her as the story continues.

Characterization

After finishing Act I, Scene I, I obtained a substantial amount of information through the dialogue and text to characterize some of the characters presented in the scene.

Ruth, a once pretty girl (24), plays a neutral role in the scene and portrays a timid personality. Her behavior towards Walter’s dream of investing in a liquor store reflects her mellowness. She first opposed against Walter’s idea of taking part in the liquor business and tells him numerous times to “Eat your eggs” (33-34), but later talks to Mama saying “…he needs something… He needs this chance, Lena.” (42). Ruth tells Mama that Walter needs the chance to invest into the liquor business.

Travis comes off in the opening scene as a little naïve; an innocent young boy who is not aware of what is going on fully. He doesn’t fully understand the financial struggle that their family is in by constantly asking for 50 cents.

Mama steps in to the scene and displays her loving and caring personality within the first few lines by first addressing the wellbeing of her plant, then continues by concerning Beneatha with her being half dressed, and offering Beneatha her robe to keep warm. Lines like “I just noticed all last week he had cold cereal, and when it starts getting this chilly in the fall a child ought to have some hot grits or something when he goes out in the cold.” (40) and “Girl, you better start eating and looking yourself better.” (41) really exposes Mama’s role of being a loving and caring leader.

Motif and Theme

In almost every work of literature there are different themes or motifs which enhance the plot and the overall meaning of the work. In the beginning of the play, A Raisin in the Sun, the motif that is evident between Walter and Beneatha Younger is a brother sister rivalry. Almost from the moment that Beneatha walks into the kitchen, the two of them start bickering through harsh dialogue such as, “I dissected something that looked like you today” (36).  The conflict between the two siblings intensifies the effects of the family’s current situation. They are struggling financially and socially and are beginning to fight over how to use what could be their saving grace; the insurance check from their father’s death.  In the eyes of the family, this check represents their idea of how to achieve the American Dream.

       

    A theme which Hansberry uses in this work is the American Dream. The idea of going from rags to riches was first coined by Horatio Alger. Walter is reaching for this American Dream and sees his opportunity through the insurance check. Longing to open a liquor store to make his life better for himself and his family, he states, “I got me a dream… I got to take hold of this here world, baby!”(33). Walter wants to change his life, achieve greatness, and not have, “a boy who sleeps in the living room” (34). In addition, Beneatha has her own idea of the American dream, going to medical school. Walter sees his potential acquisition of the American Dream through a successful business and Beneatha sees it through becoming a doctor.  

            Through recurring themes and motifs the reader can better understand the changes the characters go through and help enhance the development of the story.