Book Review: "A Raisin In The Sun"

Monday, May 19, 2008

George, Giants, and Ants

3) George, a friend of Beneatha(Bennie) was over the Younger home. Walter began to argue with the young man about college and the meaning of being a man. George replied by saying , "I'm a volcano! Bitter? Here I am a giant- surrounded by ants. Ants who (an't ever) understand what it is the giant is talking about."(Hansberry p.85) How might the metaphor represent Walter's outlook on life and show his social position in society?

Friday, May 16, 2008

Housing

2) Living in a small tenement house with his wife,mother,sister,and young son has a dramatic affect on Walter Lee. How does this living space affect Walter Lee's actions through out the play?

Foreshadowing Flower

1) In the play Lena struggles to bring a dying flower back to life, while she struggles with her family life being in disarray. How is the plant an example of foreshadowing in the play?

"A Raisin In The Sun"

"A Raisin In The Sun," is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that takes the viewer through the struggles of the Younger family. Lena, the grandmother is awaiting for the arrival of an insurance check from her husband's death that could change the lives of all the Younger's. Beneatha, Lena's daughter is a noncomformist who wants to become a doctor, but she struggles to find her identity throughout the play. Beneatha gets help finding her identity by means of Joseph Asagai. Joseph teaches Beneatha that she cannot pretend to be something that she is not and that she has to accept who she really is. Walter, Lena's son, is a chauffeur for a rich white man and is fed up with not being able to provide the life he wants for his family. Walter's dream is to open a liqor store and have a successful business. Ruth, Walter's wife is shy and never expresses her feelings, so you never know Ruth's dream until her catharsis moment; Ruth breaks down and expresses all she wants is to live in a home and have a backyard for her son to play in . Travis, is Ruth and Walter's son and all he wants to do is live a normal life, but it's difficult when his parents can't supply him with money like his other friends. When the insurance check finally arrives, Lena decides to buy a home in Clybourne Park, a white community. A representative from the neighborhood goes over to Younger home to try to buy the home back from the Younger's because the community doesn't want any problems with a black family moving in. Lena then gives the rest of the money to Walter and hopes he can finally make a good decision in his life. However, Walter gives all the remaining money to a friend who eventually steals the money. Walter's friend was supposed to get the liqor license for the store. Everyone's dreams are crushed and Lena decides not to move to the white neighborhood. However, Walter finally steps up and becomes a man and makes the decision that the family will move to the new home. The play is full of catharsis moments, historical references, and personal connections.