A Raisin in the Sun
Brittany, Anthony, Kylie and Shane Period: 3
Thesis
Theme Analysis
Conflict: Man Vs. Man
Characterization and the Quest for the American Dream
Lena Younger
Lena Younger also known as Mama, is a strong, selfless, hard-working black woman who doesn’t tolerate people who questions her values. She works hard for her kids, and will sacrifice anything for them so they can achieve their dreams. Mama’s dream is that she wants to be able to make her children’s dreams easy and attainable. She just wants her children to be happy. “So now it’s life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life-now it’s money. I guess the world really do change…” (Hansberry 74). This quote displays racial discrimination because back then for black people all they ever wanted was freedom and nothing else, but according to Walter it's all about money and when Walter says that Mama is so disappointed. Another way that shows how disappointed Mama was in Walter was in they used a medium shot to show the audience Mama's facial expression, and how distraught she was.
Walter Lee Younger
Walter Lee Younger is a mean, nasty man who rarely shows compassion towards anyone in his family, but will do anything to provide for them. He’s a very ambitious man, and tries to install that into his son Travis, so Travis could obtain better opportunities. Walter's dream is that he wants his family to live an extravagant life, or a better life than they’re living now. “Yes, I want to hang some real pearls ‘round my wife’s neck. Ain’t she supposed to wear no pearls? Somebody tell me-tell me, who decides which women is supposed to wear pearls in the world” (Hansberry 143). This quote demonstrates racial discrimination because back then it was known for only white people to be rich and be able to supply their wives with expensive things whereas the black people were poor and could barely put food on the table, so when Walter says that he feels that no one should be able to say who can buy their wife nice things. Another way that expresses how Walter feels about that topic is in the movie when they used a long shot to show Walter on his knees and all the props around him to make the statement that that's how things are supposed to be.
Mr. Linder is a nice, non-harmful looking white man who is a part of the Clybourne Park welcoming committee. He stops by the Younger residence to see if he can talk them out of moving into their new home, by giving them more money than they put down on the house. Mr. Linder’s dream is that he wants to make Clybourne Park an all-white community, and will try his hardest to bribe his way into the Younger’s heads. “… 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). This quote shows racial discrimination because Mr. Linder and the rest of Clybourne Park want a white community, and they all feel that if the Youngers move into that neighborhood, they will ruin their daily lives. Another way that displays this is in the movie when they use a long shot to show how disgusted the Younger family looks when Mr. Linder tries to persuade them to not move into Clybourne Park.
Symbolism
Mama’s plant symbolizes Mama’s love and care for her family. I also represents her dream for her family. “They spirited all right, my children. Got to admit they got spirit- Bennie and Walter. Like this little old plant that ain’t never had enough sunshine or nothing- and look at it…” ( Hansberry 52).
Walter’s eggs symbolize how Walter feel that Ruth is just trying to stop him from achieving his dreams. “That is just what is wrong with the colored women in this world… Don’t understand about building their men up and making ‘em feel like they somebody. Like they can do something” (Hansberry 34).
The insurance check is a symbol for a new life, they can move out of that cramped apartment and put Beneatha through school. “I spec if it wasn’t for you all… I would just put that money away or give it to the church or something” (Hansberry 69).
Conclusion
Works Cited
Hansberry, Lorriane. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Random House, Inc, 1959. Print.