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Comparisons of characters in a raisin in the sun
Underlying tensions among characters in Raisin in the Sun
Comparisons of characters in a raisin in the sun
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American writer James Truslow Adams once said, “Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement…” (Epic) Adding on, Adams explained full achievement of the American Dream can be perused by anyone, no matter one’s race, gender, personality and other personal differences between man. The play, A Raisin in the Sun, written by Loraine Hansberry, has characters that have personality traits that provide them a path to success and the American Dream. The Younger family, in the play are below the average middle class American family, but overall, they are hard believers and all members have different views of the American dream based on their personality’s, especially Beneatha Younger. At the time of the play, chances of becoming a doctor and even going to college as a black woman, were very rare, however, Beneatha …show more content…
is willing to take her chances and do the impossible. Beneatha Younger is portrayed as being curious, intelligent and confident, all personality traits hopefully helping Beneatha achieve her American dream, no matter the troubles that stand in her way. One personality trait that helps Beneatha on her path to eventually becoming a doctor and succeeding in her American Dream is her curiousness. Beneatha is the type of person, to always try something new, Beneatha is always curious to expand her education, experience numerous relationships with different types of people such as her friends Asagai and George. On the same token, Beneatha is very curious to learn more about the culture she once came from when her ancestors lived back in Africa. In the play Beneath states, “Because I hate assimilationist negroes… It means someone who is willing to give up his own culture…” (II. i) Therefore, Beneatha believes one’s culture is interesting and an exciting topic to talk about. Following her despite interest in her culture, Beneatha is always interested in trying new things as shown at the time when Beneatha says, “I just want to learn to play the guitar.” (I. i) Even though Beneatha has no musical experience, it is still something she would love to at least try. In all, one of Beneatha’s strongest personality traits is her curiousness and enthusiasm to always try new things and if Beneatha continues to be curious, it will help her with new experiences that can eventually help her achieve her American Dream. The second personality trait that will eventually help Beneatha reach her American Dream, is being very intelligent.
After all, Beneatha is the first member in the Younger family, to attend any other schooling after high school. Throughout the play, Beneatha is shown to be intelligent through many was as when she uses precise vocabulary and as she talks about her schooling. One can tell from the beginning of the play that Beneatha is the most intelligent family member in the household as when her and her brother Walter and having a basic brother and sister argument. During their argument Beneatha uses the following statement that shows her intelligent, “I dissected something that looked just like you yesterday.” (I. i) Another example is showing Beneatha’s intelligence through her knowledge of specific vocabulary, as when she explains the definition of an assimilationist to her mother, “It means someone who is willing to give up his own culture…” (II. i) Overall, with Beneatha’s extreme intelligence, her American Dream of becoming a doctor should come quickly and in the blink of an
eye. Finally, the last and most important personality trait that helps Beneatha achiever her American Dream would be Beneatha’s confidence. For anyone in life, confidence is the key to success and with Beneatha’s confidence she will succeed. As some think about Beneatha in the play, they might think that she is being cocky, when in reality it is simply her being confident as she finds her American Dream. In the play, Beneatha is shown being confident straight from beginning, as she is arguing with Ruth “Listen, I’m going to be a doctor…” (I. i) Beneatha straight up explains her plans on life and is very confident and content with her dreams, as shown in this simple quote. In addition, throughout her life, people have been tearing Beneatha down and telling her she cannot be a doctor due to the fact she is a black woman. However, with Beneatha’s confidence these words are just words and cannot tear her down, as shown when Beneatha says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but… words will never hurt me!” (II. iii) Therefore, if Beneatha is able to ignore all the people that try to break her down, then Beneatha will one day be a doctor and reach her own American Dream because of her confidence. Beneath Younger is one of the most curious, intelligent and confident of all characters in the play, with these three strong personality traits, Beneatha will reach her American Dream. Even though during the time of the play, life for African Americans, and women, was not easy, especially in a big city like Chicago, however as portrayed Beneatha takes on the challenge and her three major personalities help her. All the characters in the play have numerous personality traits that help the achieve their American Dream, but Beneatha Younger was one whoms specifically stands out. Overall, Beneatha Younger fulfilled the famous words American writer James Truslow Adams, “Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement…”
AP English Literature and Composition MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET Title: A Raisin In the Sun Author: Lorraine Hansberry Date of Publication: 1951 Genre: Realistic Drama Biographical Information about the Author Lorraine Hansberry was born in Chicago on May 19, 1930. She grew up as the youngest in her family. Her mother was a teacher and her father was a real estate broker.
Development of characters are shown in multiple events and situations within A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry that will either leave the character changed or not. Walter Younger Jr. undertakes multiple changes throughout the text which develops characteristics of his way of thoughts. His experiences change his morals and his appreciation for his family and his surrounding for what they are. Walter’s understanding and feelings are also shown growth throughout the text, to where he becomes a more advanced individual within himself and to for his family.
Stephanie Kelley Comp 2 Ms. Caldwell 12 November 2016 The American Dream In Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun,” she uses the Younger family to show that as individuals strive to reach their dreams they often ignore the aspirations of others but they may eventually learn to support each other in an attempt to better their lives. Hansberry uses each character to express the different views people may have about the American Dream. Each family member has their own pursuit of happiness, which is accompanied by their American Dream.
The American dream has been visualized and pursued by nearly everyone in this nation. Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is a play about the Younger family that strived for the American dream. The members of the Younger family shared a dream of a better tomorrow. In order to reach that dream, however, they each took different routes, which typified the routes taken by different black Americans.
She speaks whatever comes to her mind without a filter. While in a fight with Mama, Beneatha states, “Well - neither is God. I get sick of hearing about God.”, this was a big mistake. Mama, not amused by Beneatha’s comment about God, slaps Beneatha, Beneatha should have thought of who she was talking to before she said those offensive words. Additionally, Beneatha tends to respond defensively when someone makes a comment about her personal life. For example, Ruth and Mama tease Beneatha about going on a date with George Murchison, a rich black man. Beneatha responds indignantly with how shallow George is, concluding that maybe she will never marry anybody. Beneatha shows constant negative interactions with other
A Raisin in the Sun is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry. The primary focus of the play is the American Dream. The American Dream is one’s conception of a better life. Each of the main characters in the play has their own idea of what they consider to be a better life. A Raisin in the Sun emphasizes the importance of dreams regardless of the various oppressive struggles of life.
“A Raisin in the Sun” is set at in an area where racism was still occurring. Blacks were no longer separated but they were still facing many racial problems. The black Younger family faced these problems throughout the play. The entire family was affected in their own way. The family has big dreams and hope to make more of their poor lives. Walter, the main character, is forced to deal with most of the issues himself. Ruth, his wife, and Travis, his ten-year-old son, really don’t have say in matters that he sets his mind to. Beneatha, his sister tries to get her word in but is often ignored. Lena (Mama) is Walter’s mother and is very concerned about her family. She tries to keep things held together despite all of the happenings. Mama’s husband had just recently died so times seemed to be even harder. They all live in a small apartment when living space is very confined (Hansberry 1731). They all have dreams in which they are trying to obtain, but other members of the family seem to hold back each other from obtaining them (Decker).
The play “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry has many interesting characters. In my opinion, the most fascinating character is Ruth because of her many emotions and captivating personality. She goes through extreme emotions in the play such as happiness, sadness, anger, stress, and confusion. Ruth is very independent, firm, kind, witty, and loving.
Differences in generations can cause people to have different viewpoints in life. A Raisin In The Sun is a play set in the 1950s written by Lorraine Hansberry. The Youngers are a black family who lives in a cramped apartment in the South Side of Chicago. When Mama receives a check of insurance money, members of the family are divided in their own hopes of what it will be used for. Mama, Ruth, and Beneatha are the three women of the Younger household and their generational differences clearly show through their actions. The difference between generations is why Mama is the most devout, Ruth is an agreeable person, and Beneatha is outspoken and has modern views.
In America, every citizen is guaranteed life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Although each person is given these rights, it is how each person uses them that defines how successful they will be in America. There are several obstacles that some Americans face on their pursuit of happiness. In this country’s past, Americans lived by a very specific set of beliefs that valued the importance of hard work, faith, and family. As time progressed and America began to evolve as a nation, this capitalistic society no longer devoted itself to family and faith but rather success, and the pursuit of prosperity. The shift from dependence on tradition towards a society that values success and how people struggle to b successful when society makes it difficult marks a common theme in Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun. Two of the main characters in this story Lena Younger (Mama) and her son Walter Lee directly reflect the shift from tradition to a focus on success and capital and the struggles they face in regards to racism. Mama and Walter Lee’s contrasting values about the American dream and the way in which they pursue their own dreams while facing racism exemplifies the shift from valuing tradition like in previous generations in America, to valuing success and prosperity like in more current generations.
Though American citizens are recognized as adults at the age of eighteen, human brains take much longer to fully develop. The play A Raisin in the Sun takes place in the apartment of the Youngers, an African American family struggling with financial issues during the 1950’s. Walter’s father has recently passed away, and Mama receives a life insurance check for his death. Walter and Mama share their cramped apartment with Walter’s sister Beneatha, his wife, Ruth, and their son, Travis. Walter works as a chauffeur and Ruth does domestic chores for rich, white families. They do not have many opportunities for better jobs or higher quality education, but Beneatha attends college classes in hopes of becoming a doctor. Walter’s job as a chauffeur
One huge social issues explored by the play “A Raisin in the Sun” would be racism. The Young family individuals all hold jobs, but none pay like the jobs of whites. Their pay was justified by their skin color and education level. Some African Americans were limited on their education level, some had no history of it. Although African Americans were seen to not having high paying jobs and especially women, the character Beneatha strives to go
In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, each character has his or her own version of the American Dream. The Youngers are an African American family of five living in a tiny apartment on the Southside of Chicago together. Mama is the head of the household and is usually the final consent before decisions are made. Mama's American Dream is to be able to provide a better life for her immediate and future generations of the Younger family. Hansberry represents Mama's American Dream through Walter Sr.'s life insurance check, her plant, and the new house she is looking to buy for the family in Clybourne Park.
Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is a play about segregation, triumph, and coping with personal tragedy. Set in Southside Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun focuses on the individual dreams of the Younger family and their personal achievement. The Younger's are an African American family besieged by poverty, personal desires, and the ultimate struggle against the hateful ugliness of racism. Lena Younger, Mama, is the protagonist of the story and the eldest Younger. She dreams of many freedoms, freedom to garden, freedom to raise a societal-viewed equal family, and freedom to live liberated of segregation. Next in succession is Beneatha Younger, Mama's daughter, assimilationist, and one who dreams of aiding people by breaking down barriers to become an African American female doctor. Lastly, is Walter Lee Younger, son of Mama and husband of Ruth. Walter dreams of economic prosperity and desires to become a flourishing businessman. Over the course of Walter's life many things contributed to his desire to become a businessman. First and foremost, Walter's father had a philosophy that no man should have to do labor for another man. Being that Walter Lee was a chauffeur, Big Walter?s philosophy is completely contradicted. Also, in Walter?s past, he had the opportunity to go into the Laundromat business which he chose against. In the long run, he saw this choice was fiscally irresponsible this choice was. In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, Walter Lee's dreams, which are his sole focus, lead to impaired judgement and a means to mend his shattered life.
“A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry is a play about an African-American family, who faces discrimination and financial struggles, but still remains united throughout their journey in buying a new home. Just like the Youngers, people create lifelong goals and dreams, in which they want to accomplish. When they do not fulfill their dreams, it simply becomes “a raisin in the sun” because just like a raisin loses its juice when kept outside for too long, a dream loses its significance as well. The Younger family all have distinctive dreams and throughout the play, they do not realize the importance of family until their dreams became deferred. The title “A Raisin in the Sun” is a representation of all the characters’ dreams being deferred.