A Raisin in the Sun
Jesus Flores-Guzman 3rd period
Thesis
'A Raisin in the Sun' show's the unattainability of the American Dream as The Younger's try to go from lower class to middle class people in a time of racial discrimination.
Overall theme
The overall theme that this play portrays is family. As much as the Younger's may fight, hate each other and have every reason to give up on each other this family still sticks with each other because they're all they have. To them money can't buy happiness, well at least most of them. The story states,"RUTH (Passionately and suddenly)
Oh, Walter – ain’t you with nobody!
WALTER (Violently)
No! ‘Cause ain’t nobody with me! Not even my own mother! (2.1.86-7)" This explains how stubborn Walter might be after they're arguing about the ideas he wants to do with the check He doesn't like how no one ever supports him but family all they have. Another quote is ,"(WALTER comes to MAMA suddenly and bends down behind her and squeezes her in his arms with all his strength. She is overwhelmed by the suddenness of it and, though delighted, her manner is like that of RUTH and TRAVIS) (2.3.112)" This goes to show that family is the overall theme because whether they have huge problems, they'll always go back to family because they have nothing else.
Oh, Walter – ain’t you with nobody!
WALTER (Violently)
No! ‘Cause ain’t nobody with me! Not even my own mother! (2.1.86-7)" This explains how stubborn Walter might be after they're arguing about the ideas he wants to do with the check He doesn't like how no one ever supports him but family all they have. Another quote is ,"(WALTER comes to MAMA suddenly and bends down behind her and squeezes her in his arms with all his strength. She is overwhelmed by the suddenness of it and, though delighted, her manner is like that of RUTH and TRAVIS) (2.3.112)" This goes to show that family is the overall theme because whether they have huge problems, they'll always go back to family because they have nothing else.
how is the story man vs Self?
Walter believes no one is on his side. He thinks everyone is against hm. Even if they were, the problem isn't the family, it's him. All he's worried about is the 10k check and what he's going to invest in knowing well it isn't his money. All he needs to do is find himself.
conclusion
'A Raisin in the Sun' show's the unattainability of the American Dream as The Younger's try to go from lower class to middle class people in a time of racial discrimination. It doesn't end up well when they put a loan in for a house in a white neighborhood and Walter loses the rest of the money as he invests it in for a liquor store in which his buddy runs of with the money.