A Raisin In The Sun Dialectical Journal

Summer Journals

A Raisin in the Sun

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

A Raisin in the Sun: Act I: 2 pages

To begin with, A Raisin in the Sun, Act I , starts by introducing the five main characters; Lena, Ruth, Walter Lee, Beneatha, and Travis Younger. All of these characters, in my opinion, have unfulfilled dreams, which mostly involve money. Although this family is separated from the white middle-class culture, they too have the same type of dreams like the rest of the american society. Firstly, Mama’s plant symbolizes her dream because she cares for it as she cares for her family. Even though the plant doesn’t get enough light or water, it grows with her care and love, just like her family. Her family struggles but with her

support she allows it to flourish. The plant also acts as a stand-in for her much bigger dream of a garden she can tend to along with her dream house. “Well, I always wanted me a garden like I used to see sometimes at the back of the houses down home, This plant is close as I ever got to having one ,” (52). As Mama continues trying to support her family and her dream, she realizes that money isn’t everything. I think that Mama just wants the best for her family, like any mother or grandmother, and feels as though she is the leader of the house she makes the choices. She lets everyone know the difference between right and wrong and she brings them up when they reach there lowest points. Secondly, I feel that Beneatha is an example of an early feminist who is extremely self-oriented. Not only does she want a career, but she also desires to find her identity and pursue an independent lifestyle without just relying on a man. In one part of the story, Beneatha says she might not even want to get married in the future and this shocks Ruth and Mama as it is against their expectations of a woman’s role in life. Mama is a very old fashioned woman and has different views on life than Beneatha. Mama thinks that a woman should be loyal to a man, do the household work, cook , clean, etc. Whereas Beneatha believes in freedom, individuality, finding yourself, and not having to rely on a man to support you. As she is a feminist, it shows her passion for women’s rights and what she believes women can achieve. Beneatha is desperate to escape her current living situate and attend medical school, but these dreams are “frowned” upon in her family as they don't have enough money to help her. Furthermore, when Asagai is about to come over, Beneatha begins spraying and cleaning the entire apartment, almost “cleansing” the house. This, I believe, shows her dissatisfaction of her home and embarrassment of her current lifestyle. Beneatha, states, “I have never asked anyone around here to do anything for me!” (37). This shows that her whole life Beneatha has had to learn how to do things on her own and this is why she is such an independent woman. She is independent and doesn't try to rely on other people. Beneatha’s dreams are very different from most women at this time period and that’s what makes her such a unique character. Thirdly, I think that Walter is a struggling, working man in a family who is struggling economically and financially. Throughout the act, It begins to enhance the character development of Walter Lee and it shows that all he wants is the best for the family . In the beginning of the first Act, Ruth is going around, making sure that everyone is awake, cooking, cleaning, etc . This shows Ruth’s caring nature and how much of a hardworking mother she is . Lastly, Ruth and Walter are struggling throughout the entire first act . I think the biggest problems they face are caused because Ruth looks for the facts while Walter bases his opinions on his dreams. Walter reaches for the stars while Ruth focuses on family first . When Ruth becomes pregnant, it comes as a bombshell to the entire family as Walter tries to think of how they can raise the baby with the little money that they have. As the story goes on, money begins to destroy Walter and slowly tear the family apart. For example, “Son, how come your talk so much ‘bout money? Because it is life!” (74) . In the second scene, the family begins to clean up their apartment while they are waiting for their insurance check. This check is all that Walter needs to pursue his dream. Furthermore, when Asagai does arrive, he asks Beneatha about her straightened hair and why it is so unnatural. He believes that people should embrace their heritage and roots instead of hiding them away, much like “finding your identity”.
 A Raisin in the Sun, Act II: 3 pages
Firstly, Act II begins with Beneatha running in with the clothes Asagai gave her and dancing around pretending to perform some tribal ritual of Africa.

Her Hair is wild and untamed and she is yelling words that don’t make sense. I think that Beneatha is attempting to embrace her inner culture and express herself as an individual, like in Act I, and show that society does not control her. George, a posh boy that looks down on the lower-class and too Walter Lee, acts like a “white” boy, walks in on Beneatha and is appalled by what he sees. Her freedom and fun are despicable to him. Also, George is a man who attempts to fit in the “white” world and Beneatha strongly disagrees with his actions. As mentioned before, Beneatha thinks you should accept who you are and embrace it. To be yourself is to have power and respect. Pretending to be someone who you are not is the worst torture that anyone can give themselves. Beneatha’s hair is wild, she’s dancing, she’ s being herself, but this is frowned upon by society. Everyone should be the same and just fit in, when that’s the opposite of what Beneatha really thinks. Secondly, in the second act it is shown that Walter and Ruth have lost their spark, even though they still love each other. I think this is because Walter is so caught up in the money and the dream and he forgets whose always been there and supported him; Ruth. But yet they still fight and put their own wishes before each other. Instead of compromising and figuring out

how they can both be happy for sac other they just argue. No consideration for what the other wants, both of them act selfishly, but mostly Walter. I think that Ruth doesn’t think that Walter ever takes in account what she wants out of life. Furthermore, Mama puts some of the money that Big Walter left for the family on a new house. The reason I think she took that chance because she still has hope for her family and her own dream. However their house is in an all white neighborhood, something that is displeasing to Walter. In society, Racism is at an all time high and the idea of having a black family in an all white neighborhood is unthinkable. Also, when Mama lets the family know she has bought the house, she thought that Walter would be the most excited of all. He can start a future for his son and the rest of his family, but Walter is actually angry at this announcement. He rethinks his life and realizes that a grown man shouldn’t have his mum buy his family’s house for him, and he feels that this is an act against his manhood. I believe that Walter feels that everyone has actually forgotten about his dreams and that he feels that he should be able to get a house for his family himself instead of his mum doing it for him.He’s just a man that wants to prove for his family. Thirdly, George and BEneatha have a conversation about education and how Beneatha thinks it’s a case of self-fulfillment and George thinks it’s about economic status. I think this is a demonstration of how some views are associated with different cultures, such as education with the white culture, however this is very untrue. As the scene continues, it is very clear how Mama agrees with Beneatha’s views on education. Furthermore, Walter and Travis begin to talk about the future and how Walter just wants to fulfill Travis’s desires and dreams. I think he just wants Travis to have a better life than Walter has had himself. “…You just name it son, and I hand you the world!” (108). Basically, Walter, like any good father, wants Travis to be happy and have whatever he desires in the world. In the last scene of Act II, I think that the Youngers begin to realize that even though they are not wanted in their new town, they still want to achieve their dreams and create a better live for themselves. They won’t let racism get in the way of their wishes. In the next par of the scene, Walter is told that the money he invested instead of storing at that bank, is gone, taken. “That money is made out of my father’s flesh!” (128). This quote shows Walter’s agony and pain of his plan utterly failing. The loss of money not only meant his sister not being able to attend medical school but his dignity as a man. I think that the invested the money so that he could show his family dreams can come true, you can have it all. But sadly, this wasn’t true.

A Raisin in the Sun, Act III: 2 pages
The act begins with every quiet and there is a grayish sort of mood surrounding the room as The Younger’s have lost their money due to Walter Lee. Asagai comes over to help pack the Yougers’ belongings as they are about to move to their new house. Beneatha suddenly begins questioning herself about her choice to become a doctor. I believe that this is because she has lost hope in society, that she sees no future to help people anymore. She has seen the way her family has been treated and it’s all because of their color of skin. Human misery is inevitable in Beneatha’s eyes. Why bother to help people if they can’t be helped? In this time setting, society was wrong and cruel. A woman with a career of her own was unheard of, especially of this ethnicity. However, Asagai then helps her renew her lost faith. Furthermore, the loss of the money in act II, has resulted to Walter thinking about taking the money from Mr. Lindier to make sure that they don’t move to Clybourne Park. Ruth and the family object and think about how Walter has changed due to money over a short period of time. I think that Walter was so blinded by his dream for wealth and the big house that it over took him, however it changed a little as his character developed. When Mr. Lindier arrived, Walter was ready to accept the money and be done with it, but instead, he decided to stand up for what he believed in. After realizing that he cannot accept the money from Lindier, I think Walter sees why it was so important to keep the house. I think it was important because it demonstrated their pride as a family. They didn't let society or racism tell them what to do, they stood up for what they believed in. I also think that Mama knew that their family had worked too hard for what they had achieved and they couldn't throw it all away. Also, in the beginning of the book, they mention “Big Walter, Mama’s deceased husband and father of Beneatha and Walter Lee. He was a man who worked hard his entire life to support his family, and Mama would never put his family’s name to shame. As mentioned before, money and dreams are eating Walter alive, destroying everything he’s worked and lived for. It’s driving his family away, he’s becoming broke, it’s completely ripping him apart. His family sees this transformation of him and wonders what’s actually still left of Walter’s pride and Manhood. Is he proud to be a Younger? Or ashamed? Does he wish he had a different life with a different family, a different house? And as the story continues, it seems as if Walter’s character only really wants money anymore. Furthermore, I do think that Mr. Lindier was a racist. He walked right into the Younger’s house and suggested that they don’t move in to their beautiful new home because of the color of their skin. Even though this was his job, it wasn’t necessary for him to do. He could have asked for someone else to complete the task or he could have stood up for human rights. He still had the choice, but he chose to be a racist instead. Furthermore, I think the last act is he defining moment for this family. I think the most important things to Mama is family pride and respect. When Mr. Lindier does try divert them from living her dream, she can’t believe Walter would think about taking the money instead of standing up for what his family is about, pride. Lastly, I think the most evident message is that you can have all the money, fame, fortune, and fans, in the world but nothing will ever be was important as family. Also, in my opinion, I think this play had a vert happy ending. Walter slowly returned to his normal hopeful self, Ruth is set of to have her baby, Beneatha has faith in humanity again, and Mama gets to live the dream she’s always wanted…for her family to be happy.

Journals for Free Choice Book
#1: 1 page
To begin with, the book I chose to read was ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’.

I chose this book because I read the first two books of the series but I never had the time to read the third. Also, my sister has read the entire series and told me that this book was her favorite. When I was reading the book, it completely exceeded my expectations. The descriptive language was phenomenal, and the story line kept me wanting to read more. I would definitely recommend this book to most age groups and to people who are interested in books about action and adventure. I do not particularly love reading, but this book has made me think that I've just been reading the wrong genre of books. This book is filled with adventure, action and mystery and the characters are relatable, interesting and fun. As I was reading the book, I developed attachments to each and every character, but most of all, Sirius Black. He was put in jail and the entire time I thought he was a mad man hunting Harry down for Voldemort when this was really a misunderstanding. One thing that confused me was when Sirius broke into Gryffindor and Ron woke up seeing Sirius standing over him with a knife. When Ron screamed, Sirius escaped. But the entire book, I was wondering, considering the fact that Harry and Ron shared a bedroom, why Sirius Black would be trying to kill Ron when Harry was right there? Eventually, the story unravelled and unveiled the truth. Black was trying to kill Ron’s pet rat, Peter

Pettigrew, who was the actual person (who turned himself into a rat) that betrayed Harry’s parents, causing their death. Overall, I really loved this book and I would definitely read it again. With all of the plot twists, cliffhangers, dips and turns, I couldn’t top reading it. The characters developed throughout the book with their next adventure and their friendships grew stronger yet again. I have read the first three books of this series and I plan to read more. Unless somebody has a hatred for adventure and thrill then I would recommend this book.

#2: 1 page
Firstly, one theme that stands out to me was ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’ In this book, a character named Sirius Black, is charged for a crime that he didn't commit. In Hogwarts, all the students would see him on the cover of newspapers with his matted hair and yellow stained teeth, harvesting an “evil” grin on his face and would say, “he’s mad” “what a psycho” etc, when none of them actually knew the real story. Throughout the entire book, everyone believed that Sirius Black murdered thirteen people with a spell and for some reason he is after Harry potter, when that’s very untrue. Sirius was loyal, kind, and trustworthy, but yet was still charged for a crime he didn't commit. Throughout the entire book, Sirius Black is criticized for the way he looks and by a lie that ruined his life. When Harry found out way his parents were murdered, I was so surprised as I myself thought that Sirius Black was guilty the entire book. Furthermore, another theme in this book is fear. This book is mostly about Harry discovering what his biggest fear has really been all along, fear itself. This book also had a strong recurring theme of forgiveness. Ron and Hermione, Harry and Sirius, everyone had hardships in this book that they had to learn to forgive. Especially Snape who still doesn’t forgive Harry’s father for playing a prank on him in middle school. At some points, the events that occur seem unforgivable. Such as Peter Pettigrew who was the real reason of James and Lily Potters’ death. Harry shows him mercy proving that in the toughest of unforgivable situations, a shred of forgiveness can shine through. Throughout the twists and turns of this action packed novel, I was constantly ready to read what would happen next. The themes and messages were important in this book and I believe they were betrayed very well.
#3: 2 pages
Firstly, a character that I believe is memorable and important is Professor Remus Lupin. Lupin was new the Defense Against the Arts for Harry and his class. He is honest, wise, intelligent, thoughtful, forgiving and also a werewolf. Professor Lupin was a major character in this boo and I think that he conveys the theme of faith. Lupin had faith in Harry when Harry had none within himself, he had faith in Sirius when no one believed in him, and he made people believe in second chances and themselves. Lupin used to be best friends with Harry’s father and sees much of James (Harry’s Father) within Harry. Lupin demonstrates faith in many different situations. For example, when he’s training Harry how to fight the dementors, no matter how many times Harry tried to give up, Lupin refused to give up on him. Throughout the book, Lupin is one of the most significant characters and definitely one of my favorites