A Raisin in the Sun Essay

The significance of Lena unfledgeder in the screen bestow and movie A Raisin in the fair weather by Lorraine Hansberry, directed by Kenny Leon In the movie A Raisin in the cheer derived from the screenplay by Lorraine Hansberry, the theatrical role of Lena Younger is effectively portrayed to register the magnificence of the sow as a symbol of Lena beingness in possession of a garden to c altogether(prenominal) her energise got. However, the theme of dreams, especially Lenas, is non made prominent replete to instal Lena as a symbol of African the Statesns in the 50s makeing a preindication and moving up in rescript.In the screenplay of A Raisin in the Sun, Lena Younger is a sensitive vex and grandmother to the Younger hearthstvirtuosohold. She is very religious, and demands of her kids to thank God for their lives. This is sh bear when Lena slaps Beneatha for challenging the idea of God in her conduct. Lena says, Now you say after me, in my mothers house in that respect is still God (Hansberry 39). This scene is effectively remade in the movie. The actress that plays Lena makes her anger and shock in Beneathas comment very believable, which further emphasizes the situation that Lenas values be portrayed equitable as effectively in the movie as they were in the create verbally screenplay.Lena similarly stands up for herself, some(prenominal) uniform her daughter Beneatha. This is sh feature in the scene where Lena goes to the market to buy some apples that be in very bad condition. Lena says, Got the nerve to be askin multitude 35 cents for them apples look like they was on the scene when Moses crossed all over Wouldnt be tryin to sell em over yonder where I work (Hansberry 54). In this scene of the screenplay, Lenas character fronted very headstrong. In the movie however, this quote was not included.Instead Lena told the clerk, in a sarcastic t unrivaled, Am I being charged for the worms too? (A Raisin in the Sun), which est eems that the quality of the apples was not broad(a). Although the scene was different, the point Hansberry was toilsome to make came across two slipway. Lena came across as a headstrong woman who only wants the best and nothing less, within her budget. In these ways Lena Youngers character was portrayed effectively, however, her character has more significance that just good acting.One of the near important symbols in the screenplay A Raisin in the Sun is the rig. Through step to the fore the screenplay and the movie, no nonpareil else in the Younger household handles for the kit and boodle yet for Lena, which is why the symbol directly links to her. In the screenplay, as soon as Lena enters her flatcar she goes to open the window. Lord, if this comminuted make dont get moving getting more sun, it aint never going to see spring again. (Hansberry 66). This shows that after a long day, she still cares for her feeble little represent, and its call forthth.In the movie this scene was not portrayed effectively, mostly because the apartment the director chose does not accurately fit the description in the screenplay, thus reservation the symbolism of the whole shebang ineffective. Despite that, the true symbolism of the plant is that Lena was longing for her own garden, and that was shown effectively in the movie. The quote from the movie corresponding to this scene is If that plant dont get more sunlight than its been getting, its just gonna give up (A Raisin in the Sun) which shows that Lena does care for the plant, but cant do anything spry its well up-being.Later on in the screenplay Lena first bases to get stressed and worried about her children. The only thing she turns to then is her plant, which shows that Lena is in control of at least one thing in her house. When condolence pick outs up the fact that Beneatha is home novelr than usual Lena replies, I dont trust this plants had more than a speck of sunlight all day (Hansberry 76). This could be to direct her worries elsewhere, which makes sense because in other emotional scenes, such as when Lena is hearing about Mr.Linder, the camera focuses in on Lena touching the plants soil with her hands. The reply could in like manner be because she sees her dream in the plant she sees it is in a weak state and that it is barely growing. Lena also sees that Beneatha and Walter, her children, are experiencing new things and are growing to be count lot of the new generation. Because of this, she vacuousthorn turn to the plant and look forward to the same for it hope for it to blossom into something damp and of that generation.Lenas dream of owning a garden represents not only her dream, but the dream of all the lower come apart African americans of the 50s. Although Lena tries to keep her run pop apartment looking polished, she makes it clear that she dreams for epicger things. While conversing with shame about when her and Big Walter bought the house Lena sa id, provided Lord, child, you should occupy known all the dreams I had about buying me that house and then fixing it up and making me a little garden in the back (Hansberry 69), which clearly shows Lenas dream. non only does she want a twee garden for herself, but she wants a house for her family, so they can all enjoy alert. This scene was not effectively shown in the movie mostly because, as mentioned earlier, the apartment they were living in did not look run buck as was described in the screenplay. Due to this, when the characters were lecture about the ratty-ness of the apartment it did not make sense, because their dialogue did not fit the visual. The ultimate dream for african americans of the term was to live in a place full of life, and of course with less rent.The screenplay implies that the apartment is small and that weariness has, in fact, won in this way of life (Hansberry 23), which means that the room is in poor condition. The movie shows the living room a s small but it does not show it as tattered, like the screenplay implied. At that season and now, this is considered poverty, however the movie displays the room as well kept and does not appear worn out, which is what Lena tries to make it appear like. After Mr. Lindner comes to the Younger household, Beneatha, Walter and shame explain what he precious from them, which was to buy their house off of them.Lena does not completely discover at first why he would come, which shows that she does not espouse that there volition be complications with moving into a white neighborhood. Father give us strength. (Knowingly and without fun) Did he threaten us? (Hansberry 169). This shows that although Lena feels threatened by Mr. Lindner, she does not realize that the new generation does not directly say what they feel. This creates the tone that, just like Beneatha and Walter suffer been telling Lena, she is not educated enough on the new generation.Since Lena represents the African Ame ricans of the 50s expanding in society, it was ineffectively shown in the movie and the screenplay, because of he automatic assumption that they were threatened. All in all, the character of Lena is ineffectively portrayed in the movie to symbolize what the african americans of the 1950s should have been like. Taking a look at Lorraine Hansberrys idea of having a character like Lena in the screenplay, one understands that she is a statement rather than just a character with a dream.Lena Younger is a statement to show that women in the 1950s can work all day to provide for their families and still be caring rather than miserable. The condition the Youngers were living in was one where Lena could easily have been sour to her family members rather than nurturing. This is what Hansberry wanted to show. Also the plant symbolizes Lenas nurturing side, that she will do anything to make the people (or things) she cares for grow and succeed. Overall, the directors of the movie A Raisin in th e Sun did a decent job in interpreting Lenas role in the screenplay.A Raisin In The Sun quizIn my opinion, the most prevalent theme in, A Raisin in the Sun is the real meaning of notes because all of the family members have dreams that require currency in order for them to be fulfilled.Walter is always trying to get money to open up a liquor blood line and believes that the only way he can be a successful man is if he reaches this goal. Throughout the book, Walter is envious of wealthy people and is somewhat embarrassed of his career of a chauffeur. He would like for his son to have a better life and wants him to have everything that he could ever want. While scolding to mummy in the book, Walter states, mom, sometimes when Im downtown and I pass by them cool, quiet-looking restaurants where them white boys are sitting back and talking bout things, turning deals worth millions of dollars, sometimes I see guys dont look some(prenominal) older than me. (page 73) Walter pays so much attention to these robust white boys and this causes him to not appreciate what he has, he just always wants more. Walter believes that if momma gives him the money to invest in a liquor store then he will be successful. florists chrysanthemum doesnt understand why Walter is so focused on money and she asks him, Son-how come you talk so much bout money? Walter replies, Because it is life, milliampere (page 74) mommy doesnt see money as such a big necessity in life and believes more in family, delight in and faith. She tries to show Walter and Beneatha that not everything in life is about being wealthy and having money. For example, after Walter tells mum that he thinks that money is life on page 74, she says, Oh-So now its life. Money is life. at a time upon a time freedom used to be life- now its money. I guess the world really do transplant (page 74) Mama is trying to teach Walter not to be so mercantile. She wants him to focus on other aspects of life that Walter just cant seem to understand.Also, when Mama says how the world is changing, she is talking about how money has a negative influence on the people of that time and how sad it is that moneyis such a necessity. During the conversation between Mama and Walter, Mama sys, You something new, boy. In my time we was worried about not being lynched and getting to the North if we could and how to stay alive and still have a parking brake of dignity too (page 74) Mama is talking about how Walter should appreciate his freedom and how in her time, they had to weight-lift for their freedom and could care less about money.Beneatha doesnt seem to show as much fill in money until she realizes that all of her familys money is one. In the blood line of the book, Beneatha is kind of the outcast of the family because she doesnt seem too concerned about the money and has different views than the rest of the family. For example, Beneatha and Ruth had a conversation about why Beneatha wont marry George and Beneatha says, Oh, I just mean I couldnt ever really be serious with George. Hes- hes so shallow. Ruth replies, Shallow- what do you mean hes shallow? Hes rich Beneatha then says, I know hes rich. He knows hes rich too. (page 48-49) Beneatha wants more from a man than money, she has more depth than that. She is an independent woman and refuses to marry someone just because they are wealthy.In the inception, Beneatha isnt too focused on money however, she comes to the realization that in order to fulfill her dream of being a doctor, she needs money for medical school. When Walter broken all of the familys money, ruining any chance of Beneatha becoming a doctor she tells Asagai, Asagai, go I was peaceing in that bed there, people went out and took the hereafter proficient out of my hands And nobody asked me, nobody consulted me- they just went and changed my life (page 134)A Raisin in the Sun EssayA Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry, was written maybe with s ome personal experience. When Lorraine was younger, a mob surrounded her home in a white middle class neighborhood and threw a brick in her window (Literature and Language, 913). However, racial prejudice is just one of the themes discussed in the play. The play takes place during the Civil Rights Movement, and the obstacles overcome are obstacles we still face today. Racial prejudice, family strength, and a sell out are the several strong thematic elements in the play.When the Younger family is introduced, they are introduced together. Despite the hardships endured by means ofout the play, the family stays together level(p) through quarrels. Mama is almost like a Buddha of the Younger family by acting as the backbone of the family Mama is the strong one (A Raisin in the Sun, 854). When Walter explains to Mama how he wants to start a liquor store with the money she tells him she doesnt want to go into the liquor business. She decides then to tell him he needs to sit down and talk to his wife, which is more important, because shes family (A Raisin in the Sun, 869).Mama notices also how Walter and Ruths relationship is uncertain (A Raisin in the Sun, 855) which is why she wants him to talk to Ruth about her pregnancy (A Raisin in the, 869). If the baby isnt kept, Ruth and Walter might separate and Travis will have to go back and forth, and Mama wont have some other grandchild. If that had happened, the family would be broken up, and it seems to be a constant fear in Mama that the family might someday divide. Another sign of family strength is when Beneatha denies Walter as her brother (A Raisin in the Sun, 907).When Mama hears Beneatha shun her brother, she reminds her that her brother is just the same as her when she says You feeling like you better than he is today? They are two strong-willed, live in the same apartment, and have the same economic situation. Mama scolds her for acting like the rest of the world. Looking down on him as a colored man doin g low pay jobs to support them, and no one wants to claim that they know that poor sod. Mama tells Bennie not to write his epitaph like the outside world because she doesnt have the privilege, because shes just like him.Mama isnt trying to remind Bennie that she suffers the same ordeals, but perhaps if she was the man of the family she might do the same. Bennie herself would try to provide for them, and Walters actions were meant out of kindness, and the least Bennie could do is to be with him in his time of need. maybe Bennies attempts at being a doctor were partly out of love for her family to help provide for them, not out of pity or personal honor, but for unity. Its not the characters that make the family struggle but mostly the conditions their forced to endure.Socially, they are shunned for being Negroes. When Mr. Lindner bribes the family to move out, the idea threatens to tear the family apart. The idea is at first easily denied because of the money they have to support th emselves (A Raisin in the Sun, 892). However, when Walter loses the money, Mr. Lindners offer appeals to him (A Raisin in the Sun, 909). The family snuff its shocked and tries to support him in his decision, but Walter realizes the importance of family and he turns Lindner international. However, the climactic theme of the story is Walters selling out point.A common reader would want to hate Walter for using the money to start up a liquor store, but then its realized that he was only doing it for his family (A Raisin in the Sun, 896-897). When Walter gave the money away, he gave away the familys future too. Beneatha wasnt securely in school anymore, Travis would have to keep sleeping in the living room, and there isnt money for Ruths baby. Not only did that affect their futures, but it agony Mama as well. In a way, Walter gave away their memories and values.When Walter finds out the money is lost, he says that the money was made out of his fathers flesh, because it was his fathe r who helped them to receive that money. Walter gave it away anyway though because he idea it would help the family (A Raisin in the Sun, 897). He gave away the familys values by deceiving them into thought process that he did the responsible thing with the money, what the family wanted done with money. He fooled Mama into believing he was grown up and could become the head of the family.When the family gained of his mistake, the family became away of what he had done. Furthermore, it insulted them for how he had went about it. Bennie entangle like low class, and didnt feel she could be a doctor anymore (Raisin in the Sun, 901). Ruth felt insulted because she cant believe her husband is going to take the bribe from Lindner (Raisin in the Sun, 905). Mama took it even harder because her husbands blood, sweat, and tears went into it and their dreams were lost because of it.They wanted their children to live out their dreams but instead Walter gave them away in a day (Raisin in the Sun, 856, 897). Perhaps the biggest struggle in the play is the racial prejudice the family endures together. Only because of their color, they end up working in a low pay job in a poorly attended apartment (A Raisin in the Sun, 897). Mr. Lindner is the main symbol in representing racial prejudice. Symbolically, Mr. Lindner could show that stereotypes even come in nice packages.On the outside, Mr.Lindner was a polite man, but on the inside, he was racist and not accepting, like when he left their apartment the first time he visited and told Walter that you cant change whats in peoples hearts (A Raisin in the Sun, 891). Despite the simplicity of the message, its perhaps the most powerful of the themes. Although an entire neighborhood, an entire race, wants the Youngers to move out, they stand together and defend themselves and fight back, even when they feel like they have nothing left.However, Walter realizes that he does have something, which is family, and his experience, which h e almost lost in taking the bribe (A Raisin in the Sun, 909). The Youngers, when rest together, show that with strength and defiance, they can pull through anything together. Together, the Youngers battled racism from a middle class white neighborhood. Together, the Youngers fought a loss of a dream when Walter interchange out. Together the Youngers remained united by giving up their personal dreams for the one family dream of staying together.A Raisin in the Sun EssayIn the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry you go back in time to when segregation was still aloud. In this play you meet a cast of people with dreams of a better life. The American Dream, to be specific. This dream is portrayed differently for each character, all of which impact the play. Two of these characters are Walter downwind Younger and Lena Younger. In Raisin in the Sun Mama and Walters American dreams conflict and impact the family through materialism and desire to be the ideal American family in society.Mama and Walter both desire to provide for their family. They both look at money as success. When the $10,000 insurance check comes along, Mama sees it as a chance for her family to finally live up and be more like the rest of the American society. She aspires to look after her family, by giving them a house, a car, and most of all- happiness. Walter on the other hand becomes obsessed with his dreams of business, which he believes will result in financial independence to provide for his family.He feels ashamed when he cant give money to his son. When Travis asks for litre cents and Ruth tells him they dont have it, Walter gives him fifty cents anyway. In fact, heres some other fifty cents Buy yourself some fruit today- or take a taxicab to school or something(12) He yearns for his son Travis to look up to him. He adds another fifty to make this more real or true. This also shows how Walter looks at money as success. Walter believes this will be true if he has his dream o f owning his own business or all in all- wealth.Success to both them means that they no durable have to struggle, and live up to what people perceive. Mama distinguishes herself from Walter when it comes to materialistic matters. The first thing mama does when she gets the insurance money is buy a house for her family. This shows how the capitalistic society is having a materialistic effect on Mama. Mamas dream consists of a house and happy family. Mamas plant is a perfect indication of her dream. It symbolizes her family in a way. When the family is down, the plant is down.Mama is constantly in protection of the plant, in hopes of holding on to her dream. Walter in comparison is always looking to be somebody and make it in life. Walter sees wealth as the only solution to this. He longs for financial support. He becomes corrupted by society -to find his identity through money. Walter tells his mother, I want so many things(60). This shows his greediness. All in all Mama and Walters dreams both involve money. Mama shows us her longing for the acceptance of society when she immediately buys a house in a white neighborhood, to provide for her family.Walter shows us his desperation to be a valuable human being when he steals money in hopes of scratch line his liquor business. Walter wants to be respected and live a happy lifestyle for this family. He longs to be the head of the household. Walter sees himself with a liquor store as having power. It isnt till the end until he rethinks the values of himself and his familys future about how there is more to living than just having material riches. Mama only yearns for her family to be respected and live up to what society perceives.No matter what you perceive The American Dream to be, it is possible to attain it and be successful. The American Dream is whatever your dream of success perceives to be. Hansberry shows how hard it was for colored people to find their identities during segregated times. Walter and Mama l earn that money doesnt possess much when it comes by itself. In Raisin in the Sun Mama and Walters American dreams differentiate and impact the family through their wanting to be accepted in society and live in peace. Anyone in this country can undertake happiness and success if they work at it.A Raisin in the Sun Essay1.When Asagai arrives at the apartment, how does his mood contract with Walters and Beneathas? He is very positive and is looking toward the future. Walter and Beneatha appear defeated. 2.How has the loss of the money changed Beneathas optimism? What does she tell Asagai? What is Asagais answer? She has given up and admits defeat. She tells Asagai there is no hope and everything is over. Asagai is very critical of Beneathas feelings and tells her if she has dreams and wants a positive future, she needs to make it herself. He also asks her to go to Africa with him.3.How does Asagai define idealists and realists? Which group does he prefer to be associated with? Ideali sts have dreams and go after them. Realists only see the circle of life and the things that are right in front of them. He would rather be an idealist. 4.What alternative view of the future does Asagai offer to put Beneathas depression in perspective? Go to Africa with him. 5.Asagai leaves and Walter comes into the living room. How does Beneatha attack Walter? What does Walter do? She attacks him by speaking down about who he is as a man. Walter ignores her and looks for something in the apartment.6.How has Mamas physical appearance changed? wherefore does Mama put her plant back on the windowsill? She is depressed and seems defeated. Mama puts her plant in the window because she feels as if she is going nowhere. 7.Who does Mama blame for the accredited situation, and how does she plan to deal with it? She blames herself for this because people have always accused her of dreaming too big. 8.Up until now, Ruth has been the practical one. How does she react to Mamas new placement? She tries to lift Lenas spirits. She doesnt know what to think or how to really handle Mamas new attitude. 9.When Walter arrives back home, what does he say he has done? What does he plan to do? He has called Mr. Lindner, and the family is going to take the money that was offered to them.10.Describe Walters new view of life as being split up between the takers and the tooken. He feels that life is full of takers and tooken. His family has been, he feels, has always been tooken From this point forward, they are going to be takers. 11.What does Mama mean when she tells Walter that if he takes Lindners money he will have nothing left inside? He will loose his dignity and pride of he takes the money.12.Beneatha says Walter is no brother of hers. What lesson does Mama have to remind Beneatha about? Mama tells her she has no right to feel that way or say that about her brother. Regardless of what has happened, she has always taught Beneatha to love. 13.When Lindner arrives, why does Mama insist that Travis stay in the room? She wants him to learn from his father 14.What does Walter tell Lindner? Why? He talks to him about his father and how he worked all his life for others. He continues to tell Lindner that his family is not going to take his money because his father earned the house for the family.15.Why does Lindner decide to appeal to Mama? What is her response? He appeals to her because he says she is older and wiser. He feels that she will bend to the demands of the neighborhood. 16.What is the importance of having Mama return to the empty apartment to grab her plant? That plant represents her dreams and the spirit of her family. Wherever she goes and the family goes, so does the plant. She isnt one to walk out on her family or her dreams.A Raisin in the Sun EssayLorraine Hansberrys play A Raisin in the Sun was far earlier of its time in both depicting the everyday life of portentousness people in a way that everyone can understand and discuss the oppress iveness that black people still felt even though strides had been taken towards civilisedised rights. According to NPR, Hansberry shared the aims for this play with her husband. Hansberry told her husband she wanted to write a social drama about blacks that was good art. Instead of stereotyped characters that would bear no resemblance to actual people, she invented a situation that was sometimes painfully realistic.The plot revolves around what her characters do given the opportunity to escape their cramped surroundings (NPR). a lot of the material from this play is based on Hansberrys own life experiences. They are real characters. The reader can feel Mamas love for her family and her desire for them to better themselves. Travis should not have to sleep on the couch. Beneatha should be able to be a doctor, but she must be careful not to overspeak according to Mama. Beneathas frustration with the outdated ideas of her mother and her brothers traditional marriage are felt.She is a dreamer and yet the reader wants to believe with her. Walters anger is perfectly justified although it gets him nowhere, and Ruths increasing frustration with her husband is also justified, especially as they are about to bring another child into the world. The reader hopes that Walters intent will work even though he/she knows it never will. In the end, the family triumphs against daunting odds. They will have to work harder than they ever have to keep their house, and they will never fit into their neighborhood.They will likely face acts of discrimination even more pronounced, but they do not swallow their pride and submit to the demands of Lindner and their neighborhood. Her characters even speak in the dialect of a real Chicago neighborhood. She uses a non-standard dialect that would only be spoken in black communities. The use of the meter of Langston Hughes called Dream Deferred makes the subject and characters even more real. It asks the reader to think about what would ha ppen if someone worked all their lives for a dream and was unable to achieve it. The poesy then gives options that fit various people within the play.Anyone who reads the play can definitely see the struggles of African Americans. Hansberry was deeply committed to the fight for civil rights just as her parents had been. The struggles of the Younger family parallel the struggles of African Americans in a time where the discrimination was just beginning to be faced. According to Books and Writers, in 1959 Hansberry had said in a speech The unmistakable grow of the universal solidarity of the colored peoples of the world are no longer predictable as they were in my fathers time they are here.And I for one, as a black woman in the United States in the mid-Twentieth Century, feel that I am more typical of the present temperament of my people than not, when I say that I cannot allow the devious purposes of white achievement to lead me to any conclusion other than what may be to most r obust and important one of our time that the ultimate destiny and aspirations of the African peoples and xx million American Negroes are inextricably and gorgeously bound up together forever. (Books and Writers).This sums up Hansberrys ideas about the race and shows us how the play deals with the command of whites. It is clear that the white characters like Karl Lindner and Walters party boss are better off. Even the blacks who sell out in one way or another like George Murchison or Willy Harris are in better places than the Youngers. This family finds it almost impossible to get ahead as the whole social structure is opposed to them. And while this is a play about the American Negro, it is also one with a universal theme.It is also about the failure of the American Dream, which anyone in any time period can cogitate to. Writing in Commentary, Gerald Weales pointed out that Walter Lees difficulty is that he has accepted the American myth of success at its face value, that he is trapped, as Willy Loman in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman was trapped by a false dream. In planting so autochthonic an image at the center of her play, Miss Hansberry has come as close as possible to what she intendeda play about Negroes which is not only a Negro play. (Gale Research).In other words, she has succeeded in discussing an American Negro family, and yet, making it understandable and relatable to everyone of every race. This was no easy task. This is reiterated by Critic Harold Clurman, in the Nation, noted that A Raisin in the Sun is veritable(a) it is a portrait of the aspirations, anxieties, ambitions, and contradictory pres trues affecting humble Negro fold in an American big city. (Gale Research). Much of the historical information in this play comes from Lorraine Hansberrys own life. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago, just like in the play.Hansberrys parents were activists as well as intellectuals and her father was a real estate agent. He violate d a covenant law and moved into a white neighborhood. Their white neighbors tried to evict them. Hansberrys father actually won an antisegregation case that he fought with the aid of the NAACP with the Illinois Supreme Court. These events are the events on which A Raisin in the Sun was loosely based. When Lorraine was eight, her parents bought a house in a white neighborhood, where they were welcomed one night by a racist mob.Their experience of discrimination there led to a civil rights case. Her father won the case the Supreme Court declared that the discrimination was unconstitutional. However, nothing really happened in reality as a result of winning this case. Hansberrys family also learned about the results of fighting the system as they faced many prejudices and acts of discrimination because of their fight, such as a brick being thrown through their window. . Hansberry also worked for Freedom, a progressive black newspaper from 1950 to 1953, which is seen in the plays emphas is on civil rights (PAL).Also according to PAL, In 1963 Lorraine Hansberry became very active in the civil rights movement in the South. She was a field organizer for CORE (PAL). Again, her emphasis on civil rights in the play comes out of her own beliefs and actions. In the play the topic is covered very thoroughly as the Younger family buys a house in a white neighborhood. Houses in black neighborhoods were double the price, and their dream is to get out of the run-down apartment. In discussing this, Hansberry outlines the discrimination built into housing in Chicago and other urban areas.So, they bought the house in the white neighborhood and are elated, but their elation is short-lived because Mr. Lindner shows up. The family fights back as he tries to talk them out of moving by saying things like, I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesnt enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities (Hansberry 2. 3. 65).He ends with a statement about Linder hoping the family knows what they are getting themselves into. In the end, even after Walter loses the money, the family decides to move anyway. They will take extra jobs to make sure that their children have a better life. Hansberrys interestingness in Africa began at an early age. According to Books and Writers, in an unfinished, partly autobiographical novel Hansberry wrote In her emotions she was sprung from the southerly Zulu and the Central Pygmy, the Eastern Watusi and the treacherous slave-trading Western Ashanti themselves.She was Kikuyu and Masai, past cousins of hers had made the exquisite spirtd sculpture at Benin, while surely even more antiquated relatives sat upon the throne at Abu Simbel watching over the Nile (Book and Writers). This love of and interest in Africa is shown through both Asagai a nd Beneatha. Beneatha and Asagai show this interest in African pride in a time in America that was well before Africans began taking interest in their roots or going back to Africa.Asagai is from Africa and has keen pride in it Beneatha is interested in her roots even though she does things like straighten her hair, which Asagai says is assimilationist. Asagai even woos her with his pride in his country. For example, I will show you our mountains and our stars and give you cool drinks from gourds, and teach you the old songs and the ways of our people (Hansberry 3. 1. 55). While Walter makes fun of all the African conversation, that is also historically accurate ahead of its time. many another(prenominal) Africans were interested in their past and wanted to learn about their terrible past.Some, such as Malcolm X, even went so far as to change their work to reflect their former slave status. Others thought the interest was dumb, a part of their past, not their future. Lorraine Han sberry also puts Beneatha forth as a feminist long before women began demanding their rights. The National Organization for Women was not formed until the late 1960s. Yet Beneatha is a feminist. When Asagai makes the statement, For a woman it should be enough, Beneatha replies, I knowbecause thats what it says in all the novels that men write. But it isnt.Go ahead and laughbut Im not interested in being someones little episode in America (Hansberry 1. 2. 114). She wants to be a doctor, and her conviction is so strong that the reader believes her. Hansberry was also a feminist ahead of her time to put these ideas into writing. Even though Beneatha seems to flit from one thing to another, she is in the process of finding her identity. Exploring options and experiencing life is the way that she will find herself as well as having diverse friends like Joseph Asagai. Even her take a shit implies that she believes everything is beneath her.Sometimes irritating, Beneatha is a true feminis t before her time. Feminist as anything else is a patterned advance in coming into womanhood. For example, Mama speaks matter-of-factly of her husbands womanizing ways. She does not condemn him, but seems to accept that womanizing is what men do. Ruth would not put up with that from Walter although she does accede to him on a number of occasions. She also has a more gentle way of getting him to come around. Beneatha represents the new woman or feminist in that she would not put up with any of this.She wants to forge her own identity independent of a man. She believes that people must accept her as she is and refused to be nice as Mama tells her. This play also shows the change in black arts and intellectualism. According to Schmoop, A Raisin in the Sun is part of broader shift in black art towards depicting working-class, ordinary African-Africans. Previously, black intellectuals did not use literature, art, or the stage to portray working-class African-Americans for fear they wou ld perpetuate undesirable stereotypes. (Schmoop).Lorraine Hansberry and Langston Hughes both thought this idea ridiculous. They, in fact, felt the opposite. They felt that they could challenge these stereotypes by writing about them. Also according to Schmoop, By focusing on the dreams and aspirations of one particular working-class black family, moreover, Hansberry was able to show audiences the universality of black aspirations while also demonstrating that their race posed a significant barrier to achieving those goals (Schmoop). That is but what Hansberry did. She showed the trials and struggles of one family.The family is black, and some of the themes only those of color could relate to but others are universalfamily love, sibling rivalry, wanting the best for children, wanting to make money and have more, etc. A Raisin in the Sun is a masterful play. While some see it overly simplistic, Hansberry gives us the gamut of African American response to the oppression that was stil l occurring. Walter is just angry. Mama and Ruth are more concerned with just getting by and providing better opportunities for the next generation. Willy Harris steals from his own to get ahead, and George Murchison rejects his own upbringing.Asagai also rejects American ways, but he is African. Beneatha most represents Lorraine Hansberry as she tries to fight the system, fight societys expectations of her as a black woman, and forge her own identity. All emotions are represented in this play.whole kit and boodle Cited Books and Writers. http//www. kirjasto. sci. fi/corhans. htm http//www. shmoop. com/intro/literature/lorraine-hansberry/a-raisin-in-the-sun. hypertext markup language Colas, Brandon. Lorraine Hansberry. A Raisin in the Sun. The Ghetto Trap. Retrieved November 28, 2008 at http//www. literature-study-online. com/essays/hansberry.html Corley, Cheryl. A Raisin in the Sun. March 11. 2002. NPR. Retrieved November 26, 2008 at http//www. npr. org/programs/morning/features/pa tc/raisin/ Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Lorraine Hansberry. Authors and Artists for Young Adults. Vol. 25. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich. Thomson Gale. 2007. http//www. edupaperback. org/showauth. cfm? authid=93 Reuben, Paul. PAL Perspectives in American Literature. Retrieved November 27, 2008 at http//www. csustan. edu/English/reuben/pal/chap8/hansberry. htmlA Raisin in the Sun EssayLorraine Hansberrys play A Raisin in the Sun was far ahead of its time in both depicting the everyday life of black people in a way that everyone can understand and discuss the oppression that black people still felt even though strides had been taken towards civil rights. According to NPR, Hansberry shared the aims for this play with her husband. Hansberry told her husband she wanted to write a social drama about blacks that was good art. Instead of stereotyped characters that would bear no resemblance to actual people, she invented a situation that was sometimes painfully realistic.The plot revolves around what her characters do given the opportunity to escape their cramped surroundings (NPR). Much of the material from this play is based on Hansberrys own life experiences. They are real characters. The reader can feel Mamas love for her family and her desire for them to better themselves. Travis should not have to sleep on the couch. Beneatha should be able to be a doctor, but she must be careful not to overspeak according to Mama. Beneathas frustration with the outdated ideas of her mother and her brothers traditional marriage are felt.She is a dreamer and yet the reader wants to believe with her. Walters anger is perfectly justified although it gets him nowhere, and Ruths increasing frustration with her husband is also justified, especially as they are about to bring another child into the world. The reader hopes that Walters scheme will work even though he/she knows it never will. In the end, the family tri umphs against daunting odds. They will have to work harder than they ever have to keep their house, and they will never fit into their neighborhood.They will likely face acts of discrimination even more pronounced, but they do not swallow their pride and submit to the demands of Lindner and their neighborhood. Her characters even speak in the dialect of a real Chicago neighborhood. She uses a non-standard dialect that would only be spoken in black communities. The use of the poem of Langston Hughes called Dream Deferred makes the subject and characters even more real. It asks the reader to think about what would happen if someone worked all their lives for a dream and was unable to achieve it. The poem then gives options that fit various people within the play.Anyone who reads the play can definitely see the struggles of African Americans. Hansberry was deeply committed to the fight for civil rights just as her parents had been. The struggles of the Younger family parallel the strug gles of African Americans in a time where the discrimination was just beginning to be faced. According to Books and Writers, in 1959 Hansberry had said in a speech The unmistakable roots of the universal solidarity of the colored peoples of the world are no longer predictable as they were in my fathers time they are here.And I for one, as a black woman in the United States in the mid-Twentieth Century, feel that I am more typical of the present temperament of my people than not, when I say that I cannot allow the devious purposes of white supremacy to lead me to any conclusion other than what may be to most robust and important one of our time that the ultimate destiny and aspirations of the African peoples and twenty million American Negroes are inextricably and magnificently bound up together forever. (Books and Writers).This sums up Hansberrys ideas about the race and shows us how the play deals with the supremacy of whites. It is clear that the white characters like Karl Lindn er and Walters boss are better off. Even the blacks who sell out in one way or another like George Murchison or Willy Harris are in better places than the Youngers. This family finds it almost impossible to get ahead as the whole social structure is opposed to them. And while this is a play about the American Negro, it is also one with a universal theme.It is also about the failure of the American Dream, which anyone in any time period can relate to. Writing in Commentary, Gerald Weales pointed out that Walter Lees difficulty is that he has accepted the American myth of success at its face value, that he is trapped, as Willy Loman in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman was trapped by a false dream. In planting so indigenous an image at the center of her play, Miss Hansberry has come as close as possible to what she intendeda play about Negroes which is not simply a Negro play. (Gale Research).In other words, she has succeeded in discussing an American Negro family, and yet, making it understandable and relatable to everyone of every race. This was no easy task. This is reiterated by Critic Harold Clurman, in the Nation, noted that A Raisin in the Sun is authentic it is a portrait of the aspirations, anxieties, ambitions, and contradictory pressures affecting humble Negro fold in an American big city. (Gale Research). Much of the historical information in this play comes from Lorraine Hansberrys own life. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago, just like in the play.Hansberrys parents were activists as well as intellectuals and her father was a real estate agent. He violated a covenant law and moved into a white neighborhood. Their white neighbors tried to evict them. Hansberrys father actually won an antisegregation case that he fought with the aid of the NAACP with the Illinois Supreme Court. These events are the events on which A Raisin in the Sun was loosely based. When Lorraine was eight, her parents bought a house in a white neighborhood, where they w ere welcomed one night by a racist mob.Their experience of discrimination there led to a civil rights case. Her father won the case the Supreme Court declared that the discrimination was unconstitutional. However, nothing really happened in reality as a result of winning this case. Hansberrys family also learned about the results of fighting the system as they faced many prejudices and acts of discrimination because of their fight, such as a brick being thrown through their window. . Hansberry also worked for Freedom, a progressive black newspaper from 1950 to 1953, which is seen in the plays emphasis on civil rights (PAL).Also according to PAL, In 1963 Lorraine Hansberry became very active in the civil rights movement in the South. She was a field organizer for CORE (PAL). Again, her emphasis on civil rights in the play comes out of her own beliefs and actions. In the play the topic is covered very thoroughly as the Younger family buys a house in a white neighborhood. Houses in bla ck neighborhoods were double the price, and their dream is to get out of the run-down apartment. In discussing this, Hansberry outlines the discrimination built into housing in Chicago and other urban areas.So, they bought the house in the white neighborhood and are elated, but their elation is short-lived because Mr. Lindner shows up. The family fights back as he tries to talk them out of moving by saying things like, I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice simply doesnt enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities (Hansberry 2. 3. 65).He ends with a statement about Linder hoping the family knows what they are getting themselves into. In the end, even after Walter loses the money, the family decides to move anyway. They will take extra jobs to make sure that their children have a better lif e. Hansberrys interest in Africa began at an early age. According to Books and Writers, in an unfinished, partly autobiographical novel Hansberry wrote In her emotions she was sprung from the Southern Zulu and the Central Pygmy, the Eastern Watusi and the treacherous slave-trading Western Ashanti themselves.She was Kikuyu and Masai, ancient cousins of hers had made the exquisite forged sculpture at Benin, while surely even more ancient relatives sat upon the throne at Abu Simbel watching over the Nile (Book and Writers). This love of and interest in Africa is shown through both Asagai and Beneatha. Beneatha and Asagai show this interest in African pride in a time in America that was well before Africans began taking interest in their roots or going back to Africa.Asagai is from Africa and has great pride in it Beneatha is interested in her roots even though she does things like straighten her hair, which Asagai says is assimilationist. Asagai even woos her with his pride in his cou ntry. For example, I will show you our mountains and our stars and give you cool drinks from gourds, and teach you the old songs and the ways of our people (Hansberry 3. 1. 55). While Walter makes fun of all the African conversation, that is also historically accurate ahead of its time. Many Africans were interested in their past and wanted to learn about their terrible past.Some, such as Malcolm X, even went so far as to change their name to reflect their former slave status. Others thought the interest was dumb, a part of their past, not their future. Lorraine Hansberry also puts Beneatha forth as a feminist long before women began demanding their rights. The National Organization for Women was not formed until the late 1960s. Yet Beneatha is a feminist. When Asagai makes the statement, For a woman it should be enough, Beneatha replies, I knowbecause thats what it says in all the novels that men write. But it isnt.Go ahead and laughbut Im not interested in being someones little ep isode in America (Hansberry 1. 2. 114). She wants to be a doctor, and her conviction is so strong that the reader believes her. Hansberry was also a feminist ahead of her time to put these ideas into writing. Even though Beneatha seems to flit from one thing to another, she is in the process of finding her identity. Exploring options and experiencing life is the way that she will find herself as well as having diverse friends like Joseph Asagai. Even her name implies that she believes everything is beneath her.Sometimes irritating, Beneatha is a true feminist before her time. Feminist as anything else is a progression in coming into womanhood. For example, Mama speaks matter-of-factly of her husbands womanizing ways. She does not condemn him, but seems to accept that womanizing is what men do. Ruth would not put up with that from Walter although she does defer to him on a number of occasions. She also has a more gentle way of getting him to come around. Beneatha represents the new w oman or feminist in that she would not put up with any of this.She wants to forge her own identity independent of a man. She believes that people must accept her as she is and refused to be nice as Mama tells her. This play also shows the change in black arts and intellectualism. According to Schmoop, A Raisin in the Sun is part of broader shift in black art towards depicting working-class, ordinary African-Africans. Previously, black intellectuals did not use literature, art, or the stage to portray working-class African-Americans for fear they would perpetuate undesirable stereotypes. (Schmoop).Lorraine Hansberry and Langston Hughes both thought this idea ridiculous. They, in fact, felt the opposite. They felt that they could challenge these stereotypes by writing about them. Also according to Schmoop, By focusing on the dreams and aspirations of one particular working-class black family, moreover, Hansberry was able to show audiences the universality of black aspirations while a lso demonstrating that their race posed a significant barrier to achieving those goals (Schmoop). That is precisely what Hansberry did. She showed the trials and struggles of one family.The family is black, and some of the themes only those of color could relate to but others are universalfamily love, sibling rivalry, wanting the best for children, wanting to make money and have more, etc. A Raisin in the Sun is a masterful play. While some see it overly simplistic, Hansberry gives us the gamut of African American response to the oppression that was still occurring. Walter is just angry. Mama and Ruth are more concerned with just getting by and providing better opportunities for the next generation. Willy Harris steals from his own to get ahead, and George Murchison rejects his own upbringing.Asagai also rejects American ways, but he is African. Beneatha most represents Lorraine Hansberry as she tries to fight the system, fight societys expectations of her as a black woman, and forg e her own identity. All emotions are represented in this play.Works CitedBooks and Writers. http//www. kirjasto. sci. fi/corhans. htm http//www. shmoop. com/intro/literature/lorraine-hansberry/a-raisin-in-the-sun. html Colas, Brandon. Lorraine Hansberry. A Raisin in the Sun. The Ghetto Trap. Retrieved November 28, 2008 at http//www. literature-study-online. com/essays/hansberry.html Corley, Cheryl. A Raisin in the Sun. March 11. 2002.NPR. Retrieved November 26, 2008 at http//www. npr. org/programs/morning/features/patc/raisin/ Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Lorraine Hansberry. Authors and Artists for Young Adults. Vol. 25. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich. Thomson Gale. 2007. http//www. edupaperback. org/showauth. cfm? authid=93 Reuben, Paul. PAL Perspectives in American Literature. Retrieved November 27, 2008 at http//www. csustan. edu/English/reuben/pal/chap8/hansberry. htmlA Raisin in the Sun EssayA Raisin in the Su n is a story of the Younger Family dealing with racial problems in Chicago slums. decade thousand dollars arrives in the mail and Lena has to decide what to do with it. Bennie wants it for tuition money, Walter wants it for down payment for the liqueur store and Ruth just wants everyone to be happy. So there is three major events happening (1) Lena decides to buy a house in a white neighborhood, (2) Lena entrusts the rest of the money to Walter telling him to save a good amount for Beneathas schooling and (3)Walter loses all the money in the liquor store scam. In all these dilemmas Lena has a plant that she talks and takes care of it through out the story. Mamas plant symbolizes hope for the future. In act one scene one Mama says Lord, if this little old plant dont get more sun than its been getting it aint never going to see spring again.( Hansberry, 40) In the beginning that the plants needs sun because its in a room with a little window and Mama worries that it will not spring s o it shows that even thought it does not have enough sun and it is still surviving so it wants to holding because it knows it will be in a better place and become stronger in the future. In act one scene one Mama says They spirited all right, my children. Got to admit they got spirit- Bennie and Walter.. Like this little old plant that aint never had enough sunshine or nothing and look at it(Hansberry,52) Mama Knows that Bennie and Walter are strong and do not just give up like that plant which shows hope for the future for both them to hold out for that soil and that house even thought it has racism they can get through it like the plant without the sun. Beneath Mama, what are you doing? Mama Fixing my plant so it wont get hurt none on the way Beneatha Mama, you going to take that to the new house?(Hansberry,121) Mama un-huh- Beneatha that raggedy-looking old thing? Mama It EXPRESSES ME Even thought Beneath tells Mama how the plant is old and worthless she knows that expresses he r. Mamas plant does not symbolizes anything because all she talks about is getting the garden since all she has is one plant so she says the houses in her neighborhood have their garden. well, I always wanted me a garden like I used to see sometimes at the back of the houses down home. This plant is close as I ever got to having one.(Hansberry,53) Lena just wanted to have a garden since she could not have one when she was little because she was a slave. So that plant is theclosest thing she ever had to a garden. Although some may be able to argue that Mamas plant does not symbolizes anything because she only wants a garden with her house. She wants a garden and that plant is the only thing she can have but it does mean the plant symbolizes hope because she treats the plant like one of her children she nurtures it and wants to take it to a new house to live. Mamas plant is hope for the future because it thrived or lived through not having a lot of light through that small window in t he apartment just like the family went through racism.