Hansberry Characterize Mama's Plant In A Raisin In The Sun

Throughout history, African Americans were striving for access to their American Dreams. A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, is the story of an lower-class African American family, the Youngers, who struggle to decide whether to attain their goals or to achieve their family needs. Lorraine Hansberry uses Mama’s plant to demonstrate her belief that one should keep their dreams alive, but at the same time trying to consummate their family needs.

At the beginning of the play, Hansberry illustrates the plant's setting after writing about the discussion between Mama and Ruth. Hansberry introduces the plant as a “little old plant that ain’t never had enough sunshine or nothing. (Hansberry 52)” Despite not having a lot of basic needs, Mama’s plant is still green and healthy looking. This symbolize the Younger family because since they have no money, they have no access to their goals; Especially for Walter, who is always fantasizing about his liquor store. The Younger family might not have a lot of money but they have each other and their dream like as the plant without sunshine but its still growing. From this readers have the knowledge that having goals can keep one alive.

When Mama bought a house in a all white neighborhood with the $10,000 that Big Walter left, Walter’s Dad, in return, the family bought her new garden tools for her her plant and future new garden (Hansberry 122-1223). Buying new garden tools can benefit the plant symbolizes how Mama brought the new house can benefit the Younger family as well. One advantage can be escaping the crowded and unsanitary place that the family is living. Thus, improving the plant symbolizes improving and accomplishing the Younger’s