Category: A Raisin In The Sun

Introduction

This paper analyses family matters and power relations in Angela Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and August Wilson’s Fences.

These two stories, even though they tackle different issues, relationships between and among family members and power relations, come out clearly. In comparing these two stories, the paper analyses the use of plot the and symbolism employed here as elements of drama.

Analysis and Comparison

Plot

The plot in literature refers to the structure of a story to bring out exposition, complication, climax, and resolution. The plot in these two stories compares strongly for it is similar in many aspects. They are both divided into different acts each with several scenes.

The issue of family matters sets in immediately as the stories begin. In A Raising of the Sun, the story opens by lives of an African-American family by the name Youngers.

As the story opens, each person in the family is thinking of what to do with the money they are about to get from an insurance firm as compensation of Mr. Youngers’ death.

Mama, wife to Mr. Younger plans to spend the money by buying a dream house that she dreamt of with her late husband.

On the other hand, Walter Lee, a son, prefers to invest the money in a joint bar business with his friends because this investment would put their financial woes behind their backs. Ruth, Walter’s wife shares Mama’s dream of buying a house.

On her side, Beneatha, a daughter wishes to pay her tuition fees using that money. This is the exposition of the story.

On the other hand, Fences has a similar exposition. The story begins with tackling family issues especially money. It is on a Friday and Troy, and Bono has received their pay after which they have gone to drink at Troy’s place.

The element of power also sets in, as Troy cannot understand why blacks cannot drive garbage trucks.

However, Troy is cheating on Rose, his wife with whom they have a son, Cory. Rose reminds Troy of a fence that he was to build. The exposition in these two stories share something; that is, family issues.

As the stories progress into complication, the Youngers in A Rising of the Sun, Ruth realizes that she is impregnated; however, Walter does not say anything concerning the issue of abortion. Mama goes ahead to pay a down payment of the house.

However, people living in Clybourne Park, do not want to live close to this family. Therefore, they offer some money to Youngers not to move in that neighborhood. Walter losses his money to Willy Harris; whom they were to open a joint liquor store.

Events in Fences take a similar route of complication. Cory quits his job; something his father will not hear of, and this makes them be at loggerheads.

Bono, Cory, and Troy continue building the fence, and Bono posit that they have to make the wall for Rose because she loves her family. Bono promises to buy his wife a fridge because he loves her. Troy confesses a clandestine affair with Alberta.

Rose is infuriated about this affair, and he brands Troy “a selfish man concerned more in taking than giving” (Wilson Para. 26). Troy tries to attack Rose, but Cory attacks him; however, Troy wins.

In the climax, the Youngers hold on their dream to live in their new house beneath dumps George Murchison for Joseph Asagai. In Fences, Troy visits Alberta in the hospital where she had a stillbirth. It hurts, and Troy tells death to come for him if it can, but after finishing the fence.

The tension between Troy and Cory boils out, and Cory is kicked out of the house after a physical confrontation.

Finally, in resolution, the Youngers move in their dream house. They realize their future is uncertain but draws courage to move on from strong family ties. They vow to stay together and stop clashing over their different dreams and aspirations. Asagai is to pay tuition fees for Beneatha.

In Fences, Cory comes home after eight years to bury Troy who died from cardiac disease. However, upon reaching home, Cory decides not to show up in the funeral; however, this makes him a lesser man according to Rose. He finally agrees to show up.

Gabriel, Troy’s brother, who was in mental asylum shows up, it, is not clear whether he has escaped or not. However, he tries to play the trumpet, but it fails to produce sound. He resorts to dancing, and as the play closes, he says, “That’s the way that goes!” (Wilson Para. 26).

Symbolism

The two stories employ different symbols. In drama, symbolism refers to the use of images or logos to express certain information (DiYanni 966). In Fences, the fence is used symbolically. Bono observes that Rose wants the wall because she loves her family.

The fence here represents the ties that bind this family from breakage. Even after Troy confesses of his affair with Alberta, the marriage does not break up because the ‘fence’ holds the family together. Troy is unfaithful, he lacks love, and that is why he cannot complete building the fence in time.

Rose has to remind him from time to time. This lack of commitment to finishing the wall symbolizes how Troy is unwilling to love his wife and family, no wonder he has an affair with Alberta.

On the other hand, Mama’s plant in A Rising of the Sun is used symbolically. As the play opens, she is greatly concerned about taking care of the plant. This plant symbolizes her family and her care to the plant parallels her love and care for her family.

She says, “This plant never gets enough light or water, but I take pride in how it nevertheless flourishes under my care” (Hansberry Para. 3).

It is true that her family is not satisfied with the love that she shows it and this is why they have different dreams and want to use her husband’s money in their ventures.

Nevertheless, just like her tree aliments under her care, this family still goes strong, and this explains why they finally buy her idea of buying a house.

Conclusion

The issue of family matters and power relations come out clearly in these two stories. The Youngers go through issues like the death of a loved one just like Troy’s family in Fences.

Family clashes are prominent in these stories and even though the clashes of different nature, the bottom line is, they exist. Power relations come out clearly. Troy notices that blacks are cannot drive garbage trucks, not that they cannot learn, but because it is not allowed.

On the other hand, The Youngers are not wanted in the Clybourne Park neighborhood. All these results from the fact that they are blacks. Use of drama elements is similar. The plot is the same starting with exposition, complication, climax, and finally resolution.

Use of symbolism is also outstanding. However, there is a difference in the way these drama elements are used.

While symbolism comes out clearly in Fences, the same is not strongly reflected in A Rising of the Sun. Family matters and power relations are two themes shared in these two stories.

Works Cited

DiYanni, Robert. “Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama.” New York: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc, 2004.

Hansberry, Lorraine. “A Rising in the Sun.” Web.

Wilson, August. “Fences.” New York: Penguin group, 1986.

Introduction

The paper is an analysis of the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. This was the first play written by a black woman and first appeared in 1959 and it about the life of Youngers, an African-American family. Youngers resided in a segregated neighborhood in Chicago.

The play through its various well nurtured characters have successfully brought out various themes such as sexuality, American dream, civil rights, culture, poverty, faith, compromise, tolerance and prejudice, primacy of family racism and oppression (Hansberry 55).

The essay will concentrate on the climaxes in the play, faith as well as racial discrimination. Climax in this play has been brought out clearly and successfully by the author. Climax is a situation in which there is a clear twist of events that usually take either form, good or bad.

Similarly, climax is used to refer to the end of the piece of art that is usually captivating and can leave people either happy or sad and mostly in dilemma. On the other hand racial discrimination refers to a situation where an individual or a group of persons are treated in an unfair manner due to their skin color or cultural background (Orlando 7).

Thirdly, the issue of faith comes out clearly in the play. This is true and clearly depicted by mama, after receiving the check, she indeed bought a house and entrusted his son with the remaining some. Additionally, the family of Youngers again confirmed their faith in Walter after he refused to take the offer Mr. Lindler was offering the Youngers’ so that they cannot move to their new apartment.

Racial discrimination has occurred and supported by the fact that the Youngers were unfairly treated by Mr. Lindler who tried to block them from going to their newly bought house.

Climax in the play is realized when Walter is made to understand by Bobo that Willy, the man entrusted with the money to start a liquor business has run away with the money, this thus killed Walters dream of becoming a business man. Another climax based on the second definition is when Mr. Lindler the white man was bluntly informed by Walter that the Youngers have not relented on their quest to move to their newly acquired house.

By definition, racial discrimination refers to a situation whereby someone’s skin color is used as a factor to determine a number of issues such as concerning jobs, acquisition of property, and promotion among others. It is generally the unfair treatment of an individual or group of persons on the basis of their skin color. In the play A Raisin in the Sun, there are clear instances where the Youngers have been sidelined as a result of being black (Hansberry 148).

The first case of racial discrimination is depicted when the life style of Youngers is described, a bigger family that only have one bathroom and where one must wait for his turn to get a shower. This kind of life facing the Youngers can be associated with the difficulties of black American to secure employment.

In case they are lucky, they are only capable of working in jobs that have very little earnings that cannot sustain life of an average human being. From the play we are told Walter works as chauffer for a white family, the salary from such kind of work cannot be sufficient enough to sustain such a big family.

Similarly, what Mama says summarizes it all, “We just plain working folks.” On the same note what Walter says about his wife that she has been working “in somebody else’s kitchen for the last three years to help put clothes on her [Beneatha’s] back” (Hansberry 111). It is presumably house of a white native and she endured unfair treatment while struggling to fend for the family.

Additionally, the issue of discrimination came to light in the play when mama bough a new house in Clybourne Park. Mr. Lindner, a white later come to the Youngers family and claimed to be the chairman of Clybourne Park Improvement Association.

When he was offered a drink, he blatantly refused just because it was offered to him by a black. We later learn that his motive was to purchase the house bought by the Youngers, since he (Mr. Lindler) claims that the place where the newly acquired house for the Youngers is unsuitable for them; they do not deserve to leave in such an area.

He plainly puts it, “Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities.” (Hansberry, 73) Although it is not very clear whether, Beneatha refusal to accept the attention of Murchison George a local was on the basis of race, it is clear that she liked Asagai more so because he was intelligent, articulate and proud of their race, Africans.

Use of climax as a literature style is very significant as it keeps things or themes in the piece of art rolling as well as bringing things into conclusion. A good example of climax is depicted where Bobo brought made it known that Willy did run away with the money Mama had given Walter which he intended to open a liquor business, the hidden agenda of Walter then comes to light (Hansberry 91).

As a result of such revelation, every member of the Youngers family was now aware of what Walter was unto with all the money entrusted to him by mama. Walter trust by mama has now diminished so to speak.

This again makes the trust Mama had in him fade away, although she claimed previously when asked by Walter, “You trust me like that, Mama? Mama echoed that she still trusts him. Similarly, Walters’s dream of trying his hands on liquor business hit a snug. Another clear example of climax in the play is when Walter stood on his ground against what he had promised Mr. Lindner concerning the buying of the house the Youngers had acquired (Cummings 12)

The news of Ruth being pregnant can also provide us with a typical example of climax. Although it was not planned by mama, we see her assigning some $3, 500 dollars as well as providing moral support and strongly object the idea of Ruth aborting.. Again the argument between Walter and his wife Ruth resulted to Walter proposing that Beneatha should either concentrate on her nursing career or just get married (Orlando 2).

Faith in the play is depicted especially by mama. She strongly believes in her family despite the fact that she is in hard financial times. After receiving her check, she bought a house for her family; this not only depicts motherly love but also faith in her family members (Hansberry 126).

Additionally, she entrusted Walter, her son with the remaining sum of money. We see Walter being amazed and asking his mother if she had that strong believe in him, and what mama replies is that no single day has she lost trust in him (Cummings 4).

Additionally, through Hansberry 126 we see an act of faith when mama set aside money for the purposes of educating Beneatha. The amount totals to $3,500. No one could have done that especially considering that the family was African-American. This shows us that mama has a dream that Beneatha is indeed capable of becoming a nurse which is her dreams.

On the other hand, Ruth, Walter’s wife has no faith in him. When she found out that she was pregnant, after fainting earlier that day, she immediately opted for an abortion on the grounds that Walter will not provide for the additional kid due to financial problems (Hansberry 117).

From the review of the play A Raisin in the Sun, the use of climax has been brought out effectively making the work interesting as well as captivating. Among the examples of climax in the play is when Walter refused Mr. Lindner offers on the house Mama had bought, additionally, the reporting of Willy running away with the money Walter had given him brought a new twist of events.

On the other hand, the play brings out clearly the issue of racial discrimination. It is evident that the Youngers were leaving in a congested house since they could not secure well paying jobs due to their skin color.

When mama bought a new and bigger house for the family, the white man who purported to be the chairman of Clybourne Park Improvement Association attempted to frustrate their effort just because the Youngers are black. Faith is also clearly depicted by mama in the play. This play is a typical literature on what happened to blacks in the past and indeed to a small extent at the present.

Works Cited

Cummings, Michael. Lorraine Hansberry’s – A Raisin in the Sun / (The Ghetto Trap). 2010. Review of Arising In The Sun.

Hansberry, Lorainne. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage Books, 1988.

Orlando Green Review: “A Raisin in The Sun”, 2000. Web.

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun Summary. Web.

Pursuing a dream is a long and complex journey, and the more difficult it is, the greater despair grips the wanderers once they realise that their dream will never come true. Realizing that one’s dream has been deferred is, however, a much greater challenge, since it presupposes that more efforts must be made to finally reach it. Despite the seeming difference in genre, stylistic choices, characters and settings, the novel Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Langston Hughes’ poem A Dream Deferred have a lot in common; in fact, one may claim that the former is the logical continuation of the latter, the response to the question that the poet leaves unanswered in the end of his creation.

Apart from the obvious similarities in their subject matter, the two literature works also share a rather unique connection. Not only does the novel expand on the problem of losing a dream, much like the poem – or deferring it, as Hughes puts it, – but also seem to develop the original argument started in A Dream Deferred. In addition, the characters in both the novel and the poem share certain similarities. For example, the lead character of the poem seems completely lost, feeling deep regret, which the “heavy load” (Hughes line 9) points at. The novel characters, in their turn, are also both desperate and devastated: “those who see the changes – who dream, who will not give up – are called idealists… and those who see only the circle – we call them the “realists”” (Hansberry 565).

Although the similarities between the two literature pieces already become obvious after a small comparison, it will be reasonable to consider the stylistic choices made by the two authors in order to prove the point once again. First and foremost, the use of similes must be mentioned. Indeed, a single glance at Raisin in the Sun and A Dream Deferred is enough to notice that the two, especially the poem, are literally filled with similes, which, understandably enough, expand on the same issue of postponing the dreams coming true. In A Dream Deferred, the stylistic device clearly serves a very particular purpose; the deferred dream “dry up/like a raisin in the sun” (Hughes line 2–3).

In Raisin in the Sun, on the contrary, similes are not that explicit, which is quite understandable – being a slightly different type of medium, a novel is not supposed to be shoving the author’s ideas in the reader’s face. Nevertheless, Hansberry also uses comparison in a rather obvious manner, thus, contributing to the development of the topic. It is remarkable that, though also commenting on the issue of losing in one’s fight for the dream, Hansberry also manages to tie in a number of other issues, such as the problem of disintegration of the African American community, the issue of poverty among African Americans, family integrity, etc.: “Me and Ruth done made some sacrifices for you– why can’t you do something for the family?” (Hansberry 497). Thus, by contemplating on the many aspects of the issue, Hansberry expands the topic and at the same time narrows it down to very particular concerns of a specific part of the American society.

It is also remarkable that, in contrast to the novel, the poem operates with vivid and memorable visual elements for the key message to be conveyed to the reader efficiently: “Does it stink like rotten meat?” (Hughes line 5). The descriptions included in this poem stir a variety of visuals in front of the audience immediately, whereas the author of the novel prefers appealing to the readers’ curiosity for the interactions between the characters. Raisin in the Sun explores the phenomenon of dreams by using graphic and memorable examples and disclosing the characters’ emotions in numerous dialogues. The choice of the genre, therefore, allows for showing the characters’ growth, as well as their attitude towards the situation that they are stuck in: “Man say to his woman I: got me a dream. His woman say: Eat your eggs” (Hansberry 494).

Though the mash of comedy and tragedy that Hansberry turns her work into can hardly be called original, the fact that she decides to reveal the emotions of people losing their dream despite their huge efforts through interactions between the characters is quite unique and enticing.

While considering that A Dream Deferred and Raisin in the Sun are devoted to the same issue would be quite a stretch – after all, each tackle a series of life questions that are not quite related; yet, despite their differences, the two pieces address the same issue of emptiness that arises once the dream has been “cancelled.” More importantly, both works suggest the ways to handle this issue, though the novel clearly expands longer on the issue of facing the notorious emptiness inside. Two works of literature that are technically completely different yet touch upon the same issue and still remain topical, Raisin in the Sun and A Dream Deferred are clearly some of the best specimens of American literature are worth being called true classics.

Works Cited

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. n. d. Web.

Hughes, Langston. A Dream Deferred. 1996. Web.

Racial discrimination is the main theme of the book, strongly reflecting the situation that prevailed during the 1950s in the United States, a time when the story’s Younger family lived in Chicago’s South Side ghetto. Racial discrimination led to the city being carved into two distinct parts – the first housing whites only, and the other housing blacks. A majority of blacks did not accept the idea of assimilating into the dominant white culture on the grounds that by doing so they would fit into white perceptions about their behavior and actions and thereby would be demeaning themselves. Blacks were searching for separate self-identities based on a celebration of their culture and heritage. They wanted to be treated as equally (like whites) contributing members of society, in pursuit of the American Dream. All the minor characters in the book indulge in actions that reflect the racial discrimination prevailing at that time.

George Murchison, the rich black suitor of Beneatha Younger, believes that assimilating into white society is the only way to attain riches and the admiration of others. Instead of feeling pride in his African heritage, and like other black members of the community, resist racism, George in fact supports racism by willingly submitting to white culture. When Beneatha says he ought to be more considerate about the causes blacks were fighting for, he arrogantly replies: “Forget it baby! There ain’t no causes” (Hansberry, p. 136). He even goes to the extent of using his God given sharp intellect and debating ability to ridicule other blacks . Due to his perceived pro-racist stance, George becomes increasingly repelling to other blacks .

Joseph Asagai is the exact opposite of George Murchison. He is a forceful Nigerian character, an African intellectual (Hansberry, p. 42), who takes fierce pride in his African heritage (Hansberry, p. 72). Having fallen in love with Beneatha, he tries to awaken pride of her heritage in her by giving her Nigerian costumes to wear and fondly calling her ‘Alaiyo’ . He pleads with her to marry him and accompany him to his native Nigeria that he promises she would like so much, it would feel as though she had “only been away a day” (Hansberry, p. 130)}. While Asagai represents a powerful African model that other blacks can proudly emulate, he is guilty of supporting an important pillar of racism – suppression of women. When Beneatha, in response to his proposal of marriage, says she is not interested in a storybook romance, but wants to become an independent and liberated woman, Asagai heaps scorn on her wishes, saying: “Liberated women are not liberated at all!” (Hansberry, p. 50).

Willy Harris, Walter Younger’s black partner in his liquor store project cheats him and runs away with the investment money (Hansberry, 118). Instead of helping Walter try to improve his finances and position in life for himself and his family, Willy instead adds more problems to the Youngers’ already heavy financial burden. Willy’s action proves that he is a betrayer of his fellow black, and by association, a betrayer of the entire black community and the causes they were fighting for.

Mrs. Johnson, neighbor of the Younger family, represents the typical black person too scared to assimilate with whites in a predominantly white neighborhood. She tries to scare the Younger family into not moving into the all-white Clybourne community by recalling incidents where blacks were badly intimidated in similar situations (Hansberry, p. 104).

Karl Lindner portrays the typical “white Aryan”, arrogantly secure in the power of his race and its belief that blacks are not fit to live in the same neighborhood as them. He is chosen by the all-white Clybourne community to make the Youngers “try and understand their [whites’] problem, and the way they feel” (Hansberry, p. 105); the problem being the entry of a black family into the all-white community would create insecurity for the residents. The whites even authorize Lindner to pay the Youngers money in return for staying away from their sheltered community. Lindner comes very close to achieving his mission when Walter agrees to take the money and sign a binding contract (Hansberry, p. 141), only to be thwarted at the last moment when Walter has a change of heart.

African American Lorraine Hansberry wrote “A Raisin in the Sun” much before the black liberation movement resulted in the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 that revolutionized the life of blacks in the country, giving them freedom and recognition as equal contributors to American society as their white counterparts. Unfortunately, she did not get much time to savor the great victory because the landmark Act was passed just one year before her untimely death at the age of thirty-four.

References

Hansberry, Lorraine. “A Raisin in the Sun.” USA: Vintage. 1994.

A Raisin in the Sun, a play written by Lorraine Hansberry in 1959, became one of the most significant texts about African Americans in the 20th century. The play raises both social problems existing at that time and personal issues. It represents the injustice of segregation and the American dream, the characters’ search for a better life and freedom, and their way to maturity. The play depicts the story of an African American family living in Chicago in the 1950s.

The family lives in poverty and faces racism and injustice. Walter, one of the main characters, shares a small apartment with his wife, son, sister, and mother and works as a chauffeur of a white, wealthy man. Walter hardly makes a living and dreams about a better future. When his mother gets insurance for ten thousand dollars after his father’s death, he decides to take a risk and invest a part of the money in a liquor store. He gives money to his prospective business partner, who disappears with it. After that, Walter decides to sell the house that his mother bought for another part of the insurance check. At the end of the play, he changes his mind, and the family starts a new life in their new home.

This paper will discuss Walter’s personality and his decisions regarding a liquor business and housing. His actions are not so straightforward as they appear at first sight, and it is necessary to investigate them deeper. Although Walter’s behavior seems selfish at some points of the story, his motives can be called an attempt to become a hero, and he eventually becomes a hero at the end.

To analyze Walter’s character, it is necessary to discuss the concept of masculinity. Masculinity refers to the perception of men, their roles, and actions in a patriarchal picture of the world. Pirkis et al. identify common characteristics of masculinity, such as “stoicism, invulnerability, strength, independence, ability to provide for a family, drive, a “gogetter” ago-getterand success in chosen endeavors” (3). The constant expectations of such behavior can negatively affect men’s personalities. As Veal notes, “ideas of masculinity create unrealistic pressures on men,” which destroys “the human side of them” (3). However, it is necessary to point out that black masculinity, in addition, does not always allow a man to realize the mentioned expectations. According to Majors and Mancini, African Americans are “impotent in the economic, political, and social arenas that whites have historically dominated”qttd. in Veal 3). In this regard, it is possible to agree that Walter experiences pressure both from the side of masculine ideals and from racial restrictions existing at that time.

Walter feels guilty and frustrated as he cannot earn enough money for the good lifforof of his family. He talks about himself: “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” (p. 535). Walter wants to possess wealth, status, and authority, but in the world in which he liven, these goals are much harder to be achieved by a black man. In addition to the concept of masculinity, Walter is probably influenced by the idea of the American dream.

The American dream is a well-known belief that through hard work and risk-taking, anyone regardless of their class, origins, and gender can achieve success. Walter’s desire to have not just a well-paid job but his own business correlates with the principles of this concept. He believes that when becoming wealthy, he will solve all his problems. However, as Kochar notes, the American dream became “a nightmare for blacks in America” (p. 378). The researcher points out that even being hard-working, diligent, and honest, it was almost impossible for them to realize this dream (p. 378). When facing the opportunity to achieve success, Walter also meets disapproval from his family.

His wife, Ruth, does not feel excited about Walter’s idea to invest money. Walter complains: “There you are. Man say to his woman: I got me a dream. His woman say: Eat your eggs” (p. 535). His sister Beneatha also tells him that the money belongs to their mother, and it must be her decision about how to spend them. Walter becomes aggressive and exclaims: “He was my father, too!” (p. 537). In Behaves even been manipulative and sexist with his sister, trying to convince her to give up her dream. He says: “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor?…go be a nurse like other women — or just get married and be quiet” (p. 537). Walter is desperate that he is not getting any support from his relatives and wants his interests to be in the first place. In addition, such a manipulative and sexist attitude is also caused by masculine principles he absorbed.

His mother also disapproves of the idea of a liquor store. In addition, she does not believe in the concept of business itself: “We ain’t no business people, Ruth. We just plain working folks” (p. 539). Mama expects Walter to become the head and provider of the family. This statement may be supported by the fact that Lena entrusted Walter a part of the ith insurance money. These expectations, however, are connected more with the image of Walter’s father. His father was working all his life for a better future of his children, sacrificing his health. He was not thinking about himself but his family’s well-being. In this regard, insurance money became a symbol of all his labor and achievements.

Thus, Walter experiences pressure from several sides, including the influence of the masculinity concept and the idea of the Ame who RI, who can dr,eam and his family’s expectations and disapproval. In this regard, his investment in a liquor business can be considered as an attempt to become a hero. He describes his son a future he dreams about, where his wife has Cadillac and Travis studies in one of the best schools of America (p. 566). If Walter had had success, he would have fulfilled his mission in terms of masculinity, achieved his American dream, and proved to his family that he was right.

Unfortunately, his way to success ended without even starting, which made him desperate. When he gets bad news about money, he says in frustration: “That money is made out of my father’s flesh” (575). Mama also painfully perceives Walter’s failure and not because he lost the money itself, but as if it became a loss of another part of her husband. Mama says: “I seen him grow thin and old before he was forty… working and working and working like somebody’s old horse… killing himself… and you — you give it all away in a day” (p. 576). Walter, however, decides to take another desperate step to get more money.

When Lena buys a house in a white neighborhood, the neighbors send a representative with the buyout offer. Walter sees new hope in this money and wants to accept this offer. This attempt may be called selfish as, by this action, he would give up the dreams of his parents, sister, and wife. However, he finally changes his mind, which is highly significant not only for his family but for the development of his personality.

When Walter rejects the neighborhood representative’s offer, he protects both the heritage of his father and the dignity of his family. He tells the representative: “…we come from people who had a lot of pride. I mean — we’re very proud people” (p. 585). He overcomes his living principles and changes the perception of his future. This step becomes rather difficult for him and, taking into account Walter’s personality, this action even may be called heroic. According to Matek and Poljak Rehlicki, “it is only when he acknowledges and appropriates his legacy that he can understand the value of home and family, thus becoming a father, a husband, and — a man” (p. 299). Thus, this decision becomes fundamental for the formation of maturity in Walter and, by this action, he accepts real values instead of those that were imposed on him.

A Raisin in the Sun vividly represents the problem of segregation existing in that period in Chicago. It is a true example of discrimination when white people feel Negativland the potential neighbors only because of the color of their skin. For a deeper understanding of the importance of Walter’s action, it is also worth discussing the actual life experiences of black families. Chicago of that time was racially segregated, and even when having money, African Americans were facing difficulties and restrictions, trying to buy a new house. According to Simon, black people were often becoming victims of predatory lending schemes, hidden fees, and high-interest rates (p. 146). In addition, white people were usually reacting with aggressiveness and hostility in case a black family was trying to move into their neighborhood. This injustice in the real estate market was playing a great role in the dispossession of African Americans.

Lorraine Hansberry included some autobiographical issues in her play, as her family also faced housing discrimination. In 1938, when her father Carl purchased an apartment in Washington Park where only white people lived, their family was met with hostility by neighbors. People were highly aggressive, threatening them, and even throwing bricks in their windows. It led Carl Hansberry to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1940. This situation inspired Lorraine to write A Raisin in the Sun. Taking into account her family’s experience, Walter’s decision to fight back and reject the buyout offer appears as a significant and even heroic action.

One may conclude that A Raisin in the Sun represents a character’s way to his maturity. Dreaming about the world of wealth and authority, Walter forgets about the real value uusthat he has. The attempt to enter this world leads him to failure. However, at the end of the play, he understands what is right and awakens the proud of who he is, becoming a hero in the eyes of his family.

References

1. Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Web.
2. Kochar, Shubhanku. “African American Dream: A Reading of Mulatto and A Raisin in the Sun.” Language in India, vol. 18, no. 2, 2018, pp. 377–388.
3. Matek, Ljubica, and Jasna Poljak Rehlicki. “Going Home: Narrating Maturity and Safety in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and Nick Hornby’s How to Be Good.” Umjetnost Riječi: Časopis Za Znanost o Književnosti, vol. 60, no. 3–4, 2016, pp. 291–306.
4. Pirkis, Jane, et al. “Masculinity and Suicidal Thinking.” Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, vol. 52, no. 3, 2017, pp. 319–327.
5. Simon, Julia. “Predatory Lending, Contract House Sales, and the Blues in Chicago: Eddie Boyd’s “Five Long Years” and Muddy Waters’“You Can’t Lose What You Ain’t Never Had”.” Journal of American Culture, vol. 40, no. 2, 2017, pp. 145–154.
6. Veal, Aliyah D. I AM A MAN: How Legacy and Inheritance Bear a Heavy Burden on Black Masculinity in A Raisin in the Sun, Barbershop, and Creed. 2018.

This play starts with the younger family waiting for the arrival of the check. The check is on life insurance and is to be given to Lena due to the death of her husband. The family lives in an extremely tiny room where this play takes place. Children of Lena are Walter Lee and Beneatha.

Walter is married to Ruth while Beneatha thinks of studying and become a doctor in the future. On the other hand, Walter Lee works as a chauffeur. Every member of the family does not want to work with the money. Walter is working together with men from a low social level. However, he is seriously obsessed with money and feels that life is tremendously unfair especially for his wife and children.

Therefore, he decides to start a business with two men. This is a clear indication that he wants to get money very fast. In college, Beneatha is courted by two men, George and Joseph. George is a person who is rich and is concerned with the materialist things. On the other hand, Joseph is an African who admires Beneatha’s intelligence and spirituality. This younger family likes George just because he is rich.

Afterward, when the check reaches, Lena realizes that the amount of insurance is to take part of her husband. The family advises her to do what she wishes with the money. Walter tells his mother to give him the money arguing that his wife, Ruth is pregnant. Mama makes her mind to pay part of the money for a good house in Clybourne to act as life security for Wilter’s son in future. He pleads with his mother to give him the rest of the money.

The whole family is deeply hurt by the fact he misused the money instead of paying his sister’s school fees. Afterwards, Joseph Asagai comes in and helps the family in packing. He finds Beneatha terribly disheartened and asks her get married to him. Afterwards, Walter is transformed to a very mature man. The whole family is truly happy; they live the, old, tiny, house and go to live in Clybourne Park (Sussman, Linda, Hansberry, Friedland, and Rikki Kessler).

Dreams of Walter, Beneatha, Ruth, and Mama

Walter loves money and, therefore, his dream is to continue satisfying his family’s needs. His love for money and his hard work with the street men and his plan to do business with two men are a clear indication of his dream. Wilter asks for the insurance money in order for him to work with it and raise his family’s standards of living.

In the play, Beneatha has a dream to study and become a doctor in the future. Mama has a dream of raising her family from poverty to a higher standard of living. Ruth’s dream is to see that her husband owns his own business and offers her the best basic needs. Mama is the most admirable character since she provides her children with unconditional love in a low social economic environment.

This play indicates that there is the celebration of materialism as the younger family favors George who is rich. On consumerism, the family of Lena Younger celebrates the insurance money through paying medical school fees for Beneatha and giving a down payment for a good house where they finally move to live.

This play does not promote the idea that blacks should want to be like whites. This is because Joseph, who is one of the boys that Beneatha was courting in college, did not lose his identity as an African man to marry her. He did not have to seize his African characters or culture for Beneatha to marry him.

There are some conflicts in the play, whether internal or external. Wilter has internal conflict since he is not getting money to provide for his family. This goes on until the time he is seeking for two men to start his own business. This is a conflict that is not solved at any time. This is because he did not save the money his mother has given him for his family.

On the hand, there is a conflict that is solved when Wilter is converted to manhood. Also, the conflict between Ruth and her husband does not end since she wants to abort. Wilter is trying to borrow money from his mother to solve this conflict problem but he ends up with no money.

Gender issues in the play

This is first presented by lack of peace in the family of Wilter Lee and Ruth. Her pregnancy is the one that is bringing this issue of lack of peace in the family. When Wilter uses his sister’s school fees to start his own business, he brings out a gender issue in the play.

“A raisin in the sun” is a quote that has a great meaning in the play. It means that all characters in the play have dreams. First, one of the characters wants to move the family to larger home in, the future, the other one’s dreams to become a doctor, while the one wants to improve his family’s living conditions.

Works Cited

Sussman, Linda, Lorraine Hansberry, Joyce Friedland, and Rikki Kessler. Raisin in the sun [by] Lorraine Hansberry: a study guide. New Hyde Park, N.Y.: Learning Links, 1996. Print.

Introduction

A flow of people’s desire to follow a definite dream is great enough to stimulate them to struggle against various obstacles on the way to perfection. The world of a man is nothing without a dream. Japanese people would rather say that “a man without a dream has nothing in the future”. Actually, some dreams are hard to strive in the right direction due to the barriers made in the society. Many of social long-lasted problems of people in different communities, societies, countries on the whole leave much to be desired because of the negative influence of the nasty character features in every human being.

This negative impact grows when such motives get an ideological coloring of some groups of people tending to maintain their on rules and principles without adhering to the humane postulates. Racial segregation is a core factor which intended many famous American writers, playwrights, social figures in the first half of the twentieth century to show the real state of things in the “democratic and free” society of the United States of America with its strong power and following the scriptural principles of love towards each other. Raisin in the Sun reminds me of an incident in my life and of why I decided to go in Business in the first place.

Discussion

This book by Lorraine Hansberry was written and adopted first in the year 1959 just at the time when the opposition between white and black population of the US drew to a head in social spheres of interaction. Preceded by a “stellar cast” of eminent American black writers, such as, Gertrude Stein, Langston Hughes etc. she wrote in one of the articles: “What is it exactly that we Negroes want to see on the screen? The answer is simple – reality.

We want to see film about a people who live and work like everybody else, but who currently must battle fierce oppression to do so.” (Morrine 2) The story of Hansberry was screened on the Broadway and screened first in 1961. Moreover, as the struggle of racial controversies lasts until now, the film starring Sean Combs was re-edited to make special emphasis for those who are in despair because of unfair reality of everyday life in America.

When I faced with such attempts of the representatives among white population of the US to make my voice in the company of peers heard they just laughed at me and they had hardly made some tries of assault. It happened in the twenty-first century already, but the problem of racial segregation and struggle for your place under the sun is still opened within the society. The lack of money and poor legal protection strives many of those who were for a long period of time oppressed by the former colonists to gain enough education and skills in order to resolve this problem as soon as possible.

Then my dream coincides with one which the main character of the play had – to obtain the qualification of an economist, so that to know the principles of management and the mechanisms of cycle of money which are universally accepted. This will definitely help me to prove the statement of Lorraine Hansberry continuing the thought of Langston Hughes as of the dreams in our life: “There is simply no reason why dreams should dry up like raisins or prunes or anything else.” (Grant 24)

The concept of main characters – Youngers – determines the manifestation of family unity and wholeness of love which cover these people. Living with neighboring Clybourne Park full of whites the Youngers are intended to save their inner warmth with regards to the great significance of the family traditions and family itself serving to support every member of it. Thus, the theme of family wholeness and the relationships between parents and children urge to keep them together under the conditions of cruel reality of discriminative motives within the societal cut of the United States.

Another episode calling spectators’ attention deals with the scene when the main character Walter stole the part of the insurance money and was blamed by his sister. This moment in the film, particularly, shows the culminate feature of the book by Lorraine Hansberry.

This also concerns with the importance of family and its branches in particular. Though, the idea of “freedom”, not money, is put into the forefront. Walter comes to this conclusion at the very end of the play and gets the slightest idea of the life sense for a single human being notwithstanding his color of skin or other peculiar things which can be interpreted by someone else as a precedent for hatred, evil, and, as a result, struggle.

For me this story presents the description of how the personal goals should be developed and what a man should need to achieve such ambitious aims of life? The point is that many of us live quietly without any attempt to react towards social cruelty and unfair attitudes of those who are the same as you. The only thing is not to stop in the urge of gaining merely relevant freedom based on humane principles. The historical background of the US does not give the opportunity for many Americans to accept Afro-Americans as a huge constituent part of the American society.

Robert Coles speaks of the black family–the Youngers–and their ordeal of trying to move out of a segregated Chicago borough as a “continual tension between hope and despair in people who have had such a rough time and whose prospects are by no means cheerful” (60). (Emerson 59)

My personal aim is growing every now and then when looking at the story of the Youngers. Trying to reach the point of mutual understanding between all layers in the American society I guess that it would be rather important for me to save those entire principles of a man’s true priorities which are the key for the happiest life and ability to save your identity. No matter how hard this way may appear, the stimulus of freedom as it is intended to leave all prejudices, so that to provide a strong and convincing hit on the issue of predominant discrimination in the USA, which in return prevents many of Afro-Americans in following their dreams.

Conclusion

Thus, business for me is a tool with the help of which I can make impact on improvement of my personal beliefs about better times for the social life and conditions in the United States. The more I try to follow the way of my dream, the more it seems to come true. This credo of my life is a “driving power” for all my steps on the way of resolving the problems concerned with such points as race, religion, culture.

Works cited

Morrin, Maxine. A Raisin in the Sun (MAXNotes Literature Guides). Research & Education Association (1994).

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Hansberry’s a Raisin in the Sun.” Explicator 52.1 (1993): 59-61.

“Review: Dreams Are for Everyone; A RAISIN IN THE SUN Liverpool Playhouse.” Liverpool Echo (Liverpool, England). 2005: 24.

Every individual in a family has a diverse character depending on the generation they find themselves hailing from; as a result, such personnel is fueled towards achieving different ambitions and desires. In this context, characters have portrayed disproportionate aspirations. For instance, in Lorraine Hansberry’s play Raisin in the Sun, the concept is shown via the manifestation of generational parity and its influence on the Youngers family’s characters. Furthermore, in a society or family aspect, people often have unique personalities based on the generation from which they come or are raised; consequently, the particular person is motivated to accomplish a variety of goals and aspirations.

Selflessness is a virtue that is critical towards ensuring the bond within a family is maintained, while greed has separated many families. As demonstrated in the play Raisin in the Sun, Mama worries about the entire family’s future. Therefore, she asserts that she will purchase a better house for the family away from the slums upon receiving the insurance payout. Moreover, Mama feels like men today; Walter, an example, is lazy and does not want to toil to earn wealth; instead, they want it easy; she further aspires for Walter to work hard as other men she saw in the past generation.

I come from five generations of people who were slaves and sharecroppers – but ain’t nobody in my family never let nobody pay ’em no money that was a way of telling us we wasn’t fit to walk the earth (p. 89).

Evidently, the above quote illustrates that African American forefathers were independent in the past and did not accept gifts they did not rightfully earn. Mama appeals to Walter not to take Mr. Lindner’s money, a notion which Walter is pondering. She argues that hardly any of her forefathers acknowledged payoffs intended to suggest that they were unfit to exist on the earth a few centuries ago. Mama again emphasizes to Walter that he hails from a proud legacy of consciousness and identity despite the world’s attempts to diminish him as an individual due to his poverty.

Today, most men dream of being rich and successful by engaging in business activities. As seen from the play Raisin in the Sun, Walters’s idea, like most men of his age, dreams of being successful business owners, and thence he wants the compensation money to start a liquor store. He has demonstrated that he desires to become extremely wealthy by running a liquor store and using it to support his family. He asserts that money is the foundation of a family; life would face extinction without it. Walter is a depiction of the recurring power of money’s influence in today’s society. He is also an example of young African Americans viewed in the play as lesser and worthless throughout the historical past. Since ancient times, their sole interest in society has been liberty upon its fulfillment, their desires shift towards success.

Education has influenced individuals to acquire desirable characters as some literate African America who acquired formal education were enlightened towards the current issues around the world. In the play Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha Younger’s trait is portrayed more contrasted as compared to her other family members. Her educative background played a fundamental role in influencing her ambitions. Her ambitions are to further her education and fulfill her dreams of becoming a doctor.

Walter: Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ’bout messing ’round with sick people – then go be a nurse like other women – or just get married and be quiet…

Beneatha: Well – you finally got it said…It took you three years but you finally got it (p. 38).

From the preceding quote, it is evident that Beneatha aspires to be a doctor, a concept which Walter belittles. He does not believe women can be doctors; he perceives them as fit only in supportive roles. Therefore, Walter feels he is entitled to the insurance payment so that he can accomplish his dream of being a renowned businessman, whereas Beneatha, who also needs the same money to further her education, can be get married or be a nurse like other women.

In today’s culture, cases of unwarranted abortion are rampant as compared to the preceding cultures. The play Raisin in the Sun has demonstrated this fact as highlighted in Ruth’s predicaments. She aspires to keep her pregnancy a secret as she is sympathetic to the family’s financial constraints and struggle. Regrettably, she plans on aborting the child as she feels the baby will be more of a liability to the family, but after contemplating, she decides to keep the pregnancy. Ruth is an example of an unselfish woman who puts other individuals’ needs before hers. Albeit, she is further the opposite of today’s women who lacks patience and compassion, she endures the hurdles she faces in her marriage with Walter.

Giving back to society has always been an aspiration for many young learners studying abroad, as evident in Lorraine Hansberry’s play Raisin in the Sun. Asagai hopes to return to Nigeria, bring his knowledge from abroad, and share it with the citizens living in his hometown to better their lives. Likewise, he has confidence in transferring the technological developments he learned in the West to Africa so as to better the continent’s living standards. He is positive about his ambition while being cognizant of the obstacles ahead. Asagai also proposes to Beneatha as he always aspires to marry her. Asagai assures he will educate and guide the people while Beneatha study’s medicine and assist in the care of others. She seems reluctant to accept Asagai’s offer, but she will eventually accept.

Racial segregation dates back to ancient times, and it has encroached on most neighborhoods to date. Segregation has impacted harmonious coexistence in society; as a result, it is few and between to see a black man living in an all-white neighborhood. As seen from the play, Karl Lindner, a white man representing Clybourne Park, has his character as a racist influenced by the fact that he is a white representative of the neighboring Clybourne Park.

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 (p. 553).

From the above quote, Lindner aspires not to see the Youngers in an all-white neighborhood since they are blacks; hence he feels they are inferior to live within Clybourne Park. Therefore, he confronts the Youngers in their home and tries to cajole them towards moving to the neighborhood where most white people reside. However, the Youngers overlook his idea and instead move to the neighborhood despite no guarantees of being happy ever after.

The racial disparity has been a menace to tackle since time immemorial. The latter has been rooted deep down the hearts of individuals; hence eradicating it has been a hard nut to crack. In the play Raisin in the Sun, the generational difference has ensured the likes of Mrs. Johnson detest the black people. Hansberry’s play exploits the Mrs. Johnson persona in order to foreshadow and ring the bell on impending danger awaiting the Youngers. When they move, they will be the first blacks to live in the white neighborhood, Clybourne Park. Mrs. Johnson is rude and unpleasant, asking indelicate, too intrusive inquiries. At one point, she virtually declares that she is prayerful that the Youngers’ new home would be attacked. Even though her warnings are about the very serious risk to the Youngers, her tone is so insulting that she looks almost laughable.

In general, Lorraine Hansberry’s Raisin in the Sun vividly depicted how generational distinctive can influence individuals to seize notable traits to fuel achieving their ambitions today. In as much as some of them may be too overambitious and difficult to achieve. The play has depicted the diverse traits regarding different generations as per the Younger’s family. For instance, Mama is preservative of her culture, which drives her to be independent and believes in hard work to achieve possession. On the other hand, Walter believes he should be a prominent businessman as he is droved by the success of his fellow men. Beneatha, since she is educated, dreams of being a doctor upon completion of her study, something which is difficult due to financial constraints. A racial generation has also manifested the play as it can be seen that whites did not like the blacks in their neighborhood. Lastly, Asagai aspires to return to Nigeria and transform his hometown with the new ideas he learned in school.

Reference

Hansberry, L. (1995). A Raisin in the Sun. New York: The Modern Library.

“A Raisin in the Sun” is a play in three acts whose action unfolds sometime between the end of World War II and the 1950s. The play takes place in an urban ghetto and depicts a struggling African-American family stricken with poverty and racism permeating American society. The family anticipates a life insurance check that they are entitled to after the death of the husband Walter’s father. The central conflict revolves around the disposition of a large amount of money.

Walter dreams of opening his own liquor store: to him, running a successful small business might become his lucky ticket out of the impoverished neighborhood. Ruth, the wife, has other, more down-to-earth plans: she plans to use the money as a downpayment for a new house and to cover her sister’s medical school tuition fees. After many rows and quarrels, the spouses split the money and leave the ghetto in search of a better life. Right from the premise, it becomes clear that “A Raisin in the Sun” bears some of the critical characteristics of the realism genre.

The author approaches the narrative without romanticizing, subjectivizing, or idealizing it. “A Raisin in the Sun” is developed around commonplace characters that do not have any outstanding qualities or superpowers. In a way, Walter and Ruth are typical African-Americans of the Jim Crow era: they struggle with inequality, poverty, and the lack of opportunity like many other Black people did back then. The author Lorraine Hansberry uses clear, simple language that reflects the everyday talk characteristic for the depicted demographic. The conflict itself is presented in a realistic way as well: one can readily imagine the indecisiveness and agitation of a poor, underprivileged family over receiving a considerable sum of money.

Of special note is the level of detail in the story: for example, the description of the family’s dwelling (“tired furnishing,” “once loved couch upholstery “) makes up for a convincing setting (Hansberry 207). Lastly, “A Raisin in the Sun” provides a social critique: it shows the realities of the lower class and disdains racism. Social critique unfolds in such plot arcs as Ruth’s unplanned pregnancy: the woman realizes that a child would be an economic burden and considers abortion. Another vital element is Walter’s hesitance about accepting a bribe from his white neighbors that want the family to leave for good.

The messages embedded in “A Raisin in the Sun” are still relevant today. Firstly, the play teaches the reader the importance of the family. At the beginning of the play, the life insurance payment puts a distance between the spouses and causes arguments. Neither Walter nor Ruth wants to let go of their individual dreams and take the other person’s interests into account. Undoubtedly, the husband’s plan to open a liquor store may not work out in the long run.

However, the man sought acceptance and understanding in his wife, and when she took charge of the money, he felt emasculated. In the end, the spouses reached a compromise: perhaps, they realized that they are only able to survive if they support each other. Another valuable idea hidden in the play is the insidious nature of racism. The family’s neighbors were not openly abusive or violent, and some may even think that the bribe they offered was a “nice” gesture. However, they put Walter in an embarrassing situation that he, however, successfully escaped. Today, the reader can learn that racism is not only about open aggression: it is also about the prejudice and elusive public sentiment that covertly hurts the minorities.

Work Cited

Hansberry, Lorraine. Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Samuel French, Inc., 1984.

In the process of developing characters in their plays, poems or films, the playwrights, poets and filmmakers strategically feature both similarities as well as differences in the characters. Lorraine Hansberry provides the best illustration of this claim through the way he presents the characters in his play A Raisin in the Sun. Lena Younger and Walter Lee Younger are similar and at the same time different based on some parameters discussed in the paper. For instance, while Lena loves her family directly, Lee does it, but indirectly.

There exist some differences between Walter Lee and his mother Lena. Lena is a loving mother, a trait that provides the reason behind her patience, selflessness and understanding. She seems determined and caring to her family because when faced with discrimination she migrates with it from the south to Chicago (Hansberry 112).

She is a mother who cherishes and values the unity and family as opposed to Lee. On the other hand, lee is more ambitious and he tries his best level to reach more people by fully living the American dream by working towards economic success in order to improve the living condition of his family. However, he develops an ambition of owning a liquor store thereby concentrating on the business more than his family as his mother does.

When it comes to an idea of freedom, the two characters have different perspectives and understanding. Lena sees freedom of living as more important compared to money. She seems more concerned about the status of living conditions and the ability to enjoy the freedom as opposed to being in possession of money.

On the other hand, Walter Lee is so much engrossed with money. He thinks that money is the real freedom, which can rescue him from the many life obstacles (Cliff 12). He believes that money is the only thing, which brings happiness and comfort in the lives of people. Therefore, a clear cut of their differences is that while Lena’s experience of racism forms the basis of her decisions, Walter Lee on the other hand bases his on his dreams of owning many businesses.

There are also similarities that these two characters depict in the play. For instance, both are determined and brave. The two make a decision to move to the white neighborhood amidst resentments and threats by some weak representatives who claim that Chicago, their intended destination, is not a place they can be welcomed.

However, they defy the claim and make their way to Chicago where they manage to buy a house regardless of the financial obstacles. They run through a financial crisis after the collapse of the liquor business opened by Lee whose friend runs away with some of the money that Lee intends to invest in the business (Cliff 43). Regardless of the impediments, Lena uses her savings to facilitate their resettlement in the new land because for her, determination welcomes no barrier.

In addition, the two characters value their family as opposed to anything else though the degree of the value differs. Lena is more concerned about the life of her family more than anything else to the level of struggling to ensure that she provides a good house for her family. On the other hand, Walter Lee is also concerned about his family members.

In fact, he dreams about providing the best support for his family and that is why he is so concerned about its economic situation. He goes as far as convincing his mother to give him money to begin liquor selling business though she mother had earlier on opposed. He does all this to ensure that his family is satisfied and lives well (Hansberry 23). This character eventually realizes the need for family ties and closeness after his business and search for money becomes unsuccessful.

Works Cited

Cliff, Anthony. A Raisin in the Sun, 2008. Web.

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1959.