A Raisin In The Sun Literary Analysis

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In a Raisin in The Sun a play written by Lorraine Hansberry, emphasizes the importance of dreams regardless of the many obstacles and struggles in life. A dream to have a better life. Mrs. Younger, Walter Lee, and Beneatha have their own idea and dreams of what they consider to be a better life. A Raisin in The Sun title comes from the poem “Harlem” also known as “A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes. Hughes reflects on intense images of what happens when a dream becomes put off or lost. It dries, it rots, there is also frustration and sadness with the helplessness to bring a dream come true. The poem “Harlem “reflects exactly what the Raisin in the sun play is about. A play in which tells the story and experiences of the Younger’s family …show more content…

She constantly talks about her dream of going to college to be a doctor. Beneatha is at an age where she does not think about her family’s needs and how hard her mother works just to put her through school. It seems like she does not know the value of money and don’t ever stop to think on how her decisions affect her family. for instance, when she got home and told Mama she had decided to start taking guitar lessons (P.991) now we all know those lessons were not going to come for free. She shows signs of being selfish but also seems like she is trying to find her identity. Maybe her attitude is because she feels like she has to prove herself as a woman to her own family. Walter tells Beneatha “Who the hell told you, you have to be a doctor? If you so crazy bout messing around with sick people, then go be a nurse like other women or just get married and be quiet” (P.986-987). Beneatha responds back to Walter “Forgive me for wanting to be anything at all” (P.986-987). The fact that she must feel like she has to prove her brother wrong. She also gives the impression like she tries to not let his words hurt her. Beneatha also tends to believe that her intelligence gives her the power to act as if “traditional” tasks, like getting married or having religious beliefs are beneath her. She displays her opinion on God “Mama, you don’t understand. It’s all a matter of ideas, and God is just one idea I don’t accept,” I do not think she realized how offensive that was for her mother. Mama reacting full of anger made her repeat the words “In my mother’s house there is still God” (.992-993). Although she has two men in her life Asagai and George she is not interested on being in a relationship she states in the play “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”

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