Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

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Lorraine Hansberry is the author of the play A Raisin in the Sun. This play is very significant because it was the first play written by a black playwright to win the Best Play of the Year Award. Another interesting point about the play is the title. The title A Raisin in the Sun also refers to Langston Hughes poem Harlem. In many ways Langston Hughes’ poem relates to Lorraine Hansberry’s play. In the play a family of black Americans have a chance to move ahead in the cruel prejudiced world. Lorraine Hansberry shows the frustrations that occur when one’s dreams are deferred. The Younger family in the play experiences these times of misery when those dreams are broken.

The plot of the drama revolves around the disappointments that occur when one’s dreams are deferred. I think that it was selfish for all of the family members to have their own plan of using the insurance money. It was purely Lena’s choice to decide what was to be done with the money. I also agreed with Lena by not wanting Walter to use the money for a liquor store. When Walter went against Lena’s wish for the rest of the money to go to Beneatha’s college fund, and gave the money to Willy, it made me mad. Walter was being so selfish. In the end Walter redeemed himself by pulling some strings to let Beneatha go to school and be able to move into the new house.

Lena was very wise. I think that Lena was the only thing keeping the family together. They all revolved around her, maybe it was because she had the money and was therefore in charge. I liked the way she took control of the family and said what was on her mind. Like when her and Walter were fighting and Ruth had just found out that she was pregnant. I think if it were not for Lena, Walter and his sister Beneatha would have probably killed one another in their arguments. I also felt that when they would argue Ruth would always somehow get stuck in between. Usually because Walter would bring her in to it. Ruth had to be the responsible person in the family, other than Lena. Ruth did most of the work in the house and kept everything running smooth.

There were also many symbols in the play. I think that one of the biggest symbols in the play was Lena’s flower.

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