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