"A Raisin in the Sun"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Lorraine Hansberry's play "A Raisin in the Sun" is considered by critics to be one of the strongest portrayals of the African-American nuclear family. It looks at how the implicit theme of "A Raisin in the Sun" is the impact of the family upon the actions of individual units, especially in relation to African-American families. It also examines how the social premise and moral conflicts of the play focuses on the pursuit of the Younger family to better their current situation. It analyzes the family through several different topics, including the impact of family experiences upon individual action, the impact of social influences upon the entire family, the impact of social and political factors upon the family, and finally, the gender roles that come in conflict within the nuclear family model.

From the Paper:

"Common family experiences have a dramatic impact on the actions of each individual unit, and it unites the family in their pursuits. The Younger family is considered lower middle class; three generations occupy the nuclear model, with grandmother Lena at its head, Walter, Ruth and Beneatha as the second generation, and Travis as the youngest. The hardships endured by the family unit as a whole in their pursuit of survival binds them together. Lena and her husband worked tirelessly to raise their kids. Walter works extremely hard as a chauffeur in order to support his family, while Ruth has the full responsibility of handling the house and monitoring the family. It is the result of their persistent hardship that drives them to all yearn for change and greater social mobility (NPR, npg). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Hansberry's A RAISIN IN THE SUN. (2004, August 13). Retrieved October 14, 2006, from http://www.google.com/ url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=8&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teachervision.fen.com%2Freading%2Factivity%2F3802.html&ei=rnkxRbCKCZy0ggPAw5HzAw&sig=__tuF8jbYbj_tybgPWaVPEZ5owgTE=&sig2 =bRWzAwQmr8qCPhRMpfgIjg
• Noelle, J. (2004, December 16). A Raisin in the Sun . Retrieved October 14, 2006, from http://caxton.stockton.edu/brigantine/stories/storyReader$20
• NPR. (2005, April). A Raisin in the Sun . Retrieved October 14, 2006, from http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/patc/raisin/
• Maxnotes a Raisin in the Sun. (1994). Boston: Research & Education Assoc.

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