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Theme of discrimination in the raisin in the sun
What is an example of lorraine Hansberry use of symbolism in a story a raisin in the sun
Walter role of family a raisin in the sun
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Recommended: Theme of discrimination in the raisin in the sun
A Raisin in the Sun takes place in the souths side of Chicago in the late 50s and Walter Lee Younger is characterized as a stubborn and selfish character but, he only pursues his ideas or dreams to better the lives of others, his family. The Youngers face many road blocks that inhibit their dreams being achieved such as prejudice, low finance, and poverty. Walter is developed as an ambiguous and consist character who carries the burden of not being able to afford the basic necessities for his family. Even though it’s difficult for the reader to see at first, Walter is the strongest member of the younger family because he doesn’t stop trying to make a greater future for him and most importantly his family. In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in …show more content…
The characters all have different emotions or feelings about their financial situations and each of them have dreams they would like to fulfill which seems to be the conflict between them. At the beginning of A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry includes a poem written by Langston Hughes entitled “Harlem”, questions “what happens to a dream deferred?” The poem relates to Walter since his main priority is investing in a liquor store to gain a better income. As he endures the hardships of not having enough to make a brighter future for his family his dream is “just sags like a heavy load.” Hansberry chose this piece to reflect the younger …show more content…
The audience is exposed to the struggles of Walters desire to lead and provide for his family. Not only does Walter struggle financially but, his authority is tested when his mother takes over the responsibility a man would do. Walter wants to be acknowledged and appreciated for the things he does for his family but, it seems he hasn’t done anything because Mama has taken an authorial position over the rest of the family including Walter. Due to the fact that Walter doesn’t have authority over his family like he wants to go
Walter complains to Mama about the way he feels about his job. I open and close car doors all day long. I drive a man around in his limousine and I say, "Yes sir no sir very good sir shall I take the drive, sir?" Walter wants to be the one sitting in the back of that limousine while someone else is doing the driving. Walter wants financial freedom, he doesn't want just enough money to provide for his family but rather he tells his mother "I want so many things." Walter is materialistic and greedy, he has been corrupted by a superficial “American dream”.
In ''A Raisin in the Sun'' Hansberry uses Walter Lee Younger to represent the ambitious but, uninformed African American family. Walter's main role in 'A Raisin in the Sun' is to personify the African American families that make many gambles, which eventually lead to complete failure. Walter is shadowed by greed and ignorance which causes him to fail to achieve the success he wishes to gain. Walter Lee Youngers' greed is exemplified when he talks about, "Check coming today." (Hansberry 26). Walter's lack of wisdom and hard headedness allows him to portray American success, which he hopes of achieving in a very short time. When Walter Younger fails at what he has been trying to do he exclaims, "THAT MONEY IS MADE OUT OF MY FATHER'S FLESH." (Hansberry 128). Walter is emotionally and physically drained and begins nearing his breaking point. He finally realizes that society trumps over one individual. Walter can be best described as a greedy, foolish, yet ambitious individual.
A Raisin in the Sun is about the Younger family, they are facing its own war against racism in Chicago. America’s complicated history of racial tension between black Americans and white Americans is ingrained into the Youngers’ everyday lives. Mother (and grandmother) Lena Younger, her daughter Beneatha, and her son Walter, Walter’s wife Ruth and their son Travis, squeeze into a small two-bedroom apartment.
The civil rights movement brought enlightenment towards the abolishment of segregation laws. Although the laws are gone does segregation still exist in fact? “What happens to a dream deferred, does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?'; said, in a poem by Langston Huges. The story, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry showed segregation and its affects upon all races. This essay will show how Assimilationists and New Negroes fought for their own identity in the mid twentieth century. Whether they were being true to themselves or creating carbon copies of oppression was determined by one’s view upon society.
Walter brings to topic his importance to the scenario, and decides to break away from the event and think of his answer towards his wife’s information and response. He later is shown the understanding of his wife by the reaction of his mother, who questions his standing on how his father would have reacted. This brings Walter to think of why he should change and not walk out on times of importance. Walter discovers that his turmoil of drinking and appearance on the topic could end up losing the life of his newly developing child. At the discussion over selling the house owned by the family to Mr. Linder, Walter is shown the original faith that the selfish purpose of the money for himself would be better the property that would benefit the entire family, including his child.
In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, one of the main characters, Walter Lee Younger, had a dream to co-own a liquor store with his friends. Walter wants a better life for his family and himself to finally give Ruth, Travis and the family a home they could call theirs. He wants the privilege to be rich and feels like his opportunity to be rich was stolen from him. All Walter wanted to do was make money to support his family and be his own boss along side Bobo and Willy Harris. So once he knew that money was gone his dream came crashing down.
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry haves a bunch of characters and all of them are important. But some are so important that without them there will be no book and that is Walter and Mama. They are the most important by their dialogue (the things they say) and their action to each other for example Walter trying to invest in a liquor business and when Mama brought a house for the family to live in. But to know how they are important then kept reading. Walter is important by his actions and the things he say.
In the Younger household, Mama is the ultimate leader of the family. Although she does not believe that money has much meaning in life, she does wish to move her family into a more sizable home. Walter Lee Jr., Mama’s son and eldest child who is not the least bit content with his life, constantly
Lorraine Hansberry, in her play A Raisin in the Sun, tells the story of the Youngers, a poverty-stricken family of five. The author uses a large sum of inherited life insurance money to symbolize the downfall of two of the characters, Beneatha and Walter, due to their dreams.
Walter is Mama’s oldest son. His dreams are to be wealth but at the same time wanting to provide for his family. His own personal dream is to open liquor store with his money he receives from Mama.
To prove that he is a valiant father, Walter Younger disregards his own desires and moves his family into a better home. Doing this, Walter sets an example for Travis, encouraging him to go after his dreams. In the process, Walter causes a racial conflict with the white community and learns to stand up for what he believes in. From the personal growth of Walter Younger one can see the significance in fighting for what’s important, as well as, making sacrifices for those that one
Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is a play about segregation, triumph, and coping with personal tragedy. Set in Southside Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun focuses on the individual dreams of the Younger family and their personal achievement. The Younger's are an African American family besieged by poverty, personal desires, and the ultimate struggle against the hateful ugliness of racism. Lena Younger, Mama, is the protagonist of the story and the eldest Younger. She dreams of many freedoms, freedom to garden, freedom to raise a societal-viewed equal family, and freedom to live liberated of segregation. Next in succession is Beneatha Younger, Mama's daughter, assimilationist, and one who dreams of aiding people by breaking down barriers to become an African American female doctor. Lastly, is Walter Lee Younger, son of Mama and husband of Ruth. Walter dreams of economic prosperity and desires to become a flourishing businessman. Over the course of Walter's life many things contributed to his desire to become a businessman. First and foremost, Walter's father had a philosophy that no man should have to do labor for another man. Being that Walter Lee was a chauffeur, Big Walter?s philosophy is completely contradicted. Also, in Walter?s past, he had the opportunity to go into the Laundromat business which he chose against. In the long run, he saw this choice was fiscally irresponsible this choice was. In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, Walter Lee's dreams, which are his sole focus, lead to impaired judgement and a means to mend his shattered life.
Lauren Oliver once said, “I guess that’s just part of loving people: You have to give things up. Sometimes you even have to give them up” (Good Reads). This quote connects very well to the play, A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry. The quote conveys the message that if one loves someone, one must give things up. A Raisin in the Sun is about an African-American family living in the south side of Chicago in the 1950s. The Younger family is a lower-class family that has been struggling to make their dreams come true. One of the character’s in the play named Walter Lee has been struggling to make his dreams come true. Walter’s changes that are shown tie to the quote written by Lauren Oliver. The changes that are seen in Walter Lee throughout the book, A Raisin in the Sun, reflects the theme that one must sacrifice something for the love and happiness of one’s family.
In addition, the title of Lorraine Hansberry’s play, “A Raisin in the Sun”, was inspired by one of Langston Hughes’ poem, “Harlem.” Hughes asks, “What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it dry up / like a raisin in the sun?” (1-3). This line is significant because it represents what the play is initially about. In the play, he Younger family has distinctive dreams, but only one dream is fulfilled. Hansberry decided to use “a raisin in the sun” as her title because the characters’ dreams were all “raisins” that lost their “taste” because some dreams “exploded,” while others were “syrupy sweet” (Hughes 8). According to Edythe McGovern, author of “A Raisin in the Sun” from the Masterplots II: Women’s Literature Series, Langston Hughes’ “Harlem” poem needs to be considered pivotal in interpreting Hansberry’s play because she managed to create distinctive characters who relate “to such deferment of dreams.” Therefore, Hansberry chose A Raisin in the Sun as the title of her play, inspired by La...
Dreams of owning a business and having money to accomplish goals are two key parts played out throughout the whole process. Walter Younger is determined to have his own business and he will go to ends meet to see that dream come true. Financial bridges are crossed and obstacles arise when Walter makes a bad decision regarding money that could have helped the family and not only himself, if he had thought smarter. His pride and dignity are tested throughout the story and he is forced to set up for his family. The Raisin in the Sun helps readers to understand the history of racial discrimination and how racial discrimination has an effect on the people in the late 1950s and early 1960s as well as how that has an effect on the characters within the play.