Abstract This paper examines the play, "A Raisin in the Sun," by Lorraine Hansberry and, in particular, looks at how the characters of Walter Lee, Lena Younger, and Beneatha provide a good representation of the trials and tribulations that the majority of the black population was facing during the 1950s and even the 1960s. It shows how each of them either persevered and reached his or her ultimate goal in the face of adversity or at least maintained hope in the eventual actualization of that goal.
From the Paper "From the onset of the play it is made known that Walter Lee, the man or father of the household is underpaid and unappreciated as the chauffeur for a white man. Walter has begun the planning phases of a joint opportunity for investment into and the opening of a liquor store. His goals include the ability to provide a better life for his family and to be able to attain their residence, currently they are living with his mother and sister in an apartment. "I got a boy who sleeps in the living room and all I got to give him is stories about how rich white people live..." (1777). Walter also wants to show his son that a black man or woman can be successful and work for themselves and not have to work for the white man."
Abstract This paper addresses the theme of the importance of family in the play, "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry. The paper draws several examples from the play to prove the theme. It also includes a very brief plot summary.
From the Paper "Mama also uses dialogue to attempt to convince her children that their family should always come first. After Mama realizes Ruth is pregnant and considering getting an abortion, she tell Walter Lee. When his response is silence she says, "I'm waiting to hear how you be your father's son. Be the man he was... You wife say she going to destroy you child. And I'm waiting to hear you say we a people that give children life, not destroy them(1653-4)." Mama is hoping Walter Lee will stand up and take action like his father would have, and she is hoping he will see that regardless his financial situation, he should take his new child and do the best he can. She wants him to understand that family is important enough to struggle for; because, in the end, his family will be his happiness. She knows he has created life, and she feels he must now take responsibility for his actions."
Abstract This paper examines how "A Raisin in the Sun" is a classic play by Lorraine Hansberry, written in the year of 1959 during the civil rights movement. It looks at how the plot is based on the struggle for equality during the late segregation years and how the family deals with it.
From the Paper "Furthermore, as the play moves along the family is still faced with the question of how to spend the money. Throughout the first three scenes the focus is on the money's arrival, which causes the family's bond to come further apart giving the first scene unity of action. Lena had her mind set on spending her half of the money on a down payment on a house, while Walter wanted to open a retail business, and Beneatha wanted to go to medical school. In the event that everyone anticipated spending the money on their individual preferences the family was bound to experience a conflict of interest. The second half of the play began with the resolution to the beginning of the play and how the money would be spent."
Abstract This paper discusses Lorraine Hansberry's play, "A Raisin in the Sun". The paper examines the central theme of the play as it relates to the American dream. It explains how this theme is significant to each character of the play and also contends that the characters represent the spectrum of personalities found in any American society.
From the Paper "We learn how people can become blinded by their dreams through the character of Walter. Part of Walter's problem is the fact that he feels desperate. He realizes that he is getting older and still has not really achieved anything. He tells his wife, "I'm thirty-five years old; I been married eleven years and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room . . . and all I got to give him is stories about how rich white people live" (Hansberry 2209). In dealing with this realization, Walter tries to find a quick way to make his dream of having lots of money come true. He becomes blinded by desire. This kind of blind dreaming is something that happens to a lot of people. Their desire becomes so strong that they cannot see that risks often outweigh possibilities. "
Abstract This paper introduces and analyzes Lorraine Hansberry's play "A Raisin in the Sun". The paper explains that this story, much like Langston Hughes' poem of the same name is about freedom, pride, blacks and their dreams. The paper summarizes the story and explains that the main theme of the story is dreams, as dreams are what keeps a person or family alive and help them look to the future.
From the Paper "Mama decides to give Walter the money. This is the victory for Walter's dream since Mama feels he has always had to face unfortunate circumstances. Even though the rest of family doesn't approve of this, Mama is willing to take this risk for the love of her son. She knows that her son is suffering from broken dreams. The scene where Walter is shown talking to his son Travis is particularly poignant. He promises Travis that they will one day own a Chrysler that is "elegant" rather than "flashy," and will also employ the services of a gardener. He also predicts that once Travis goes to college, his father would "hand you the world!" (625)."
Abstract The paper examines the conflict between competing family members, Walter and Beneatha, for their version of dream fulfillment, as well as the conflict with social discrimination that the family experiences collectively in relation to the environment. The paper analyzes this interpersonal family conflict and the social conflict that takes the form of racial discrimination. The paper then shows how what ultimately unites the family is the achievement of the matriarchal perspective that Mama espouses from the beginning.
From the Paper "The two conflicts visible in A Raisin in The Sun are the interpersonal conflicts between competing family members for their version of dream fulfillment, as far as what to do with the money, vs. the conflict with social discrimination that the family experiences collectively in relation to the environment and is specifically embodied in the offer of Mr. Lindner. In the two conflicts are visible interpersonal family conflict and social conflict in the form of racial discrimination. The conflict between Walter and his sister Beneatha is a personal conflict whereby each has a different notion of what they think should be done with the money. The conflict between Walter and Mama demonstrates the disparity between views within the family as far as what freedom really means and the real impact of dreams."
