...dreams fail to become reality. “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore and then run?” The Younger family have the dream of transcending the “American Dream.” They continually need to water and nurture their dream lest it dries up and shrivels up like “A Raisin in the Sun.” Through the manipulation of dialogue, argument and cynicism, Lorraine Hansberry fluently describes the drams of the Younger family and how their dreams became “deferred.” Initially by way of example, Mama’s dreams were the first deferred when she moved into the cramped apartment complex, becoming too busy having to deal with the constant bickering of Walter and his sister and trying to think of a proper environment of Ruth’s unborn child. that she couldn’t accomplish her dream and not being able to have sufficient funds to do so it seems as if her dreams where shattered the most by the death of her husband. However, once receiving the insurance money from her husband’s death her dreams became reality again. Finally Travis will be able to run around in a garden and have his own room but can’t fulfill that since they lived in the ghetto. Likewise, Beneatha, Walter’s sister had aspired to become a doctor but in those times women of color weren’t considered of obtaining such high positions to where the usual standpoint is becoming a nurse. Hansberry’s use of argument is potent because it shows how stressful it is for the whole family to be able to provide...
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...dreams fail to become reality. “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore and then run?” The Younger family have the dream of transcending the “American Dream.” They continually need to water and nurture their dream lest it dries up and shrivels up like “A Raisin in the Sun.” Through the manipulation of dialogue, argument and cynicism, Lorraine Hansberry fluently describes the drams of the Younger family and how their dreams became “deferred.” Initially by way of example, Mama’s dreams were the first deferred when she moved into the cramped apartment complex, becoming too busy having to deal with the constant bickering of Walter and his sister and trying to think of a proper environment of Ruth’s unborn child. that she couldn’t accomplish her dream and not being able to have sufficient funds to do so it seems as if her dreams where shattered the most by the death of her husband. However, once receiving the insurance money from her husband’s death her dreams became reality again. Finally Travis will be able to run around in a garden and have his own room but can’t fulfill that since they lived in the ghetto. Likewise, Beneatha, Walter’s sister had aspired to become a doctor but in those times women of color weren’t considered of obtaining such high positions to where the usual standpoint is becoming a nurse. Hansberry’s use of argument is potent because it shows how stressful it is for the whole family to be able to provide...
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...American Idol of Literature The final judging in the American Idol of Literature competition took place in my mind between the three best written pieces of work in “Making Literature Matter”. The three pieces were “A Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, and even though it is not a story or play, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr. Although the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was the best written thing in the text book, I don’t believe it could legitimately win in an “American Idol” type of competition because it wasn’t actually a story. He wrote that letter better than anything I have seen written to this day minus all of the Harry Potter books as I am very partial to them. He was in the heart of where the country needed to reform the most and no one was willing to help him make it happen. He had sincere guts and the faith required to help make the human rights movement work. All he was doing was answering the question “what are you doing here?” and he did it very successfully and effectively over thirteen pages. My favorite quote of his letter to the congressmen was; As in so many past experiences, our hopes had been blasted, and the shadow of deep disappointment settled upon us. We had no alternative except to prepare for direct action, whereby we would present our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the conscience of the local and the national community. (Jr.) It was right after he...
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...A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry A Raisin in the Sun is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry, which debuted on broad way in 1959. They play takes place sometime in the 1950’s, a time period wrought with social issues which were ignored by the general public. The play concentrates on the Younger family; Ruth, Travis, Walter Lee, Beneatha, and Lena, the family head. The events of the play take place over the course of only a few weeks, where-in the Younger family is to receive a large sum of money for the death of Lena’s husband. The family is then torn between what they all want from the money, causing conflict. Ultimately they move into a house in an all-white neighborhood. (Hansberry 1959) Lena’s husband, Mr. Younger, died and as a result, the family is scheduled to receive a 10 thousand dollar check on Saturday. This causes a lot of tension between the family members, including Ruth and Walter Lee. They get into multiple arguments regarding the money. In one particular argument, Walter indulges Ruth with his dream of opening a liquor store, and that he only needs a few thousand dollars. Ruth disregards him and tells him to eat his eggs or they’ll get cold. (Hansberry 1959) After not getting a favorable response from Ruth, Walter says ( ). Walter uses the phrase “Eat your eggs.” as fuel to express how women keep men from their dreams, and that women need to support their husbands, especially in their culture. During the 1950’s, being a supporting housewife was...
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...A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is a story about an African- American family. The family has new conflicts to overcome, during the 50’s it’s harder to come above obstacles when black. Having a lot of money is hard, especially if people know. Money can change the future for a person, but especially an African- American in that time, because their wages were lower, and their jobs were less available. During the 1950’s the economy was booming, with an annual increase of 37%. This is often thought to be because the era changed to a post-war era, before the Great Depression. During the time black people were fighting discrimination, and striving for equal rights. All according to www.understandingrace.org with access from 3-10-2016....
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...on their race.The poet Sekou Sundiata, says. “All depends all depends on the skin, all depends on the skin you're living in”(21-22). He gave me a finer outlook on how society treats minorities and experiences they have to go through. Accused or wrongdoing,Not getting the same opportunities as others or simply just being verbally or mentally abused. It depends on what racial background you come from to determine how you will be treated in certain circumstances. Another text I found knowledgable for critically thinking, was the play “A Raisin in the Sun”. I was able to get a clear understanding of the family wanting greater dreams for themselves rather being stuck in a poor neighborhood dealing with poverty. Also why they were push not to pursue their dreams which was because of the color of their skin. This play being written in 1959,yet it’s 2017 and discrimination is still an issue. After reading texts like “Blink Your Eyes” and “A Raisin in the Sun”, I believe my writing has improved on discussing how many different texts all share similar meanings and...
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...Outline Thesis Statement: One of the major themes of "A Raisin in the Sun" is the devaluation of capitalism as a measure for success and its replacement by family pride. I. Walter Lee is obsessed with obtaining money from the very beginning of the play. His very happiness depends on success, and he measures this in wealth. 1. He longs to be successful. His speech at the end of Act II, Scene 2 beginning "You wouldn’t understand yet, son, but your daddy’s gonna make [...] a business transaction that’s going to change our lives [...] You just name it, son, and I'll hand you the world!" (Hansberry, 96) 2. Money is the only means of being successful or obtaining success. When asked why he cares so much about money, Walter screams, "Because it is life, Mama!" (Hansberry, 64) II. Mama encourages him to take her place as head of the family, despite disagreeing with his lust for wealth. 1. Mama tries to convince him that money is not the solution to Walter's crisis of purpose in a speech: "Something has changed. You something new, boy. [...] You ain't satisfied or proud of nothing we done. You my children - but how different we done become." (Hansberry 62) 2. Still she trusts him with the money in order to further his pride and encourage his familial responsibility. "I'm telling you to be head of this family from now on like you supposed to be." (Hansberry, 94) III. After the money is all but depleted, Walter stands up for himself and his family and spurns money in favor...
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...Critical Play Analysis: A Raisin in the Sun 1. Thought/Theme/Ideas When reading a play, it is often difficult to obtain understanding and describe the theme. This particular play, A Raisin in the Sun, allowed for the meaning of the play to be conveyed through the characters. After completing the read, the play seemed to reveal that family is most important in life. In all of the stresses and events that take place within each person’s life, it is hard to become side-tracked on the family aspect of life. Throughout this play, money seemed to be the struggling conflict; the husband of Lena passed away and money was left over for the family. With the Youngers being a lower income family they were wanting to utilize the money for different purposes. Their lives are quite difficult in addition to them living a neighborhood that is experiencing some racial issues. Lena, the mother, was watering her plant everyday in hopes that it would prosper into something (pg. 28) By doing so, it showed that she was determined and committed to dreams and aspirations while the rest of the family were in conflict over the use of the 10K. While money is important in the everyday activities of life, it is not the most important aspect. If one does not have anyone to share the experience with, what is the use of the money. It would be best to let the money decide its purpose on its own (bills) rather than having everyone else deciding it individually; relationships can be destroyed that...
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...It is within both these time periods that two very important texts are written; Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Frederick Douglass, and the play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry. Both text touch on the African American life, however occur in two different time periods. For example (Raisin), occurs post Civil War era, during a time in America where African Americans are free, yet face the hardships of entering a new life as an “American”; on the other hand (Douglass) takes place during the time of slavery in America, and portrays the story of Frederick Douglass and his struggle with slavery. It is important to note both texts significantly influenced America during their time of publication, and both share very similar ideologies. Take for example both text place an emphasis on the ideology of finding happiness, or at least pursuing happiness; yet both text take an entirely different approach...
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...Contrast Between Siblings, Walter Versus Beneatha In reading the play “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, one can almost get the feeling they were there in Chicago in the 1950’s. The Younger’s are an African-American family whom live in a small, dilapidated two-bedroom apartment in Chicago’s south side. The play opens up with the struggling Younger family barely making it through life, but then surprisingly find out they are receiving a life insurance policy from their father; whom previously passed. The inheritance left behind by their father equals ten thousand dollars, but with this money comes sibling rivalry between Walter and his sister Beneatha. Walter, the only son of Lena Younger “Mama”, is the typical African American man from the 1950’s who is trying to support the family with his job as a chauffeur. He believes everything revolves around him and his opinions are more important than the women in his family. Walter is constantly arguing and fighting with his wife Ruth, Mama, and his sister Beneatha. He blatantly disregards his family’s concerns, more specifically, Beneatha’s concerns, and always feels like he must have the final word in any argument that unfolds. In Walter’s opinion, much like most men from his decade, he believes that the man of the house is the ultimate decision maker. Walter thinks he is realistic with his dreams, while “living in a white man’s world”; however, he is an idealist who believes that a future full of money will bring him and...
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...In the book A Raisin in the Sun the author used characters like Beneatha and Mama to demonstrate a conflict between a parent and child. Conflict is something that happens often daily and how you handle that defines you. Somewhere conflict occurs often is in the home where there is a parent and child. Conflict occurs between parents and their children all the time. Why? The reasons can range from age difference to just plain disagreement. This happens because everyone doesn’t have the same point of view on things. In Mama and Beneathas case the author demonstrated their conflicts by using different views with religion, marriage and Mamas and Beneathas first conflict had to deal with their different view points in religion. “But Mama you don’t...
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...The key element in the play, “A Raisin in the Sun” is the theme of choices. Family members make decisions without talking to one another about it, causing disarray and argument. Without telling anybody, Ruth puts a down payment on the abortion of the child she is pregnant with, which the reader/audience discovers in the second scene. Lena spends $3500 getting a new house for the Youngers in a predominantly white neighborhood, with no discussion. Even though his family is against it, Walter Lee invests his money in opening a liquor store with a friend. The last person, Beneatha, struggles to choose who she will marry; someone who can support her financially, or a man who can help her get in touch with her culture. Though the Younger family...
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...Test and Testing, Writing English Composition Essays - Analitical, Autobiographical, Argument, Cause/Effect, Classification, Compare/Contrast, Comparison, Conversation, Creative+Writing, Critical, Deductive, Definition, Descriptive, Description, Dialog, Division, Exploratory, Expository, Informative, Interview, Inquiry, Journalistic, Narration, Observation. Personal Narrative, Place, Profile, Process, Proposal English Literature and Literary Analysis - Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, A & P, Antigone, Apocalypse Now, Araby, The Awakening, Barn Burning, Beowulf, Beloved, Bible, Birthmark, Blade Runner, The Bluest Eye, Candide, Canterbury Tales, Catcher in the Rye, Cathedral, Chrysanthemums, A Clockwork Orange, The Color Purple, Comparing Literary Works, Crime and Punishment, Death of a Salesman, Death in Venice, Desiree's Baby, A Doll's House, Dr. Faustus, Epic of Gilgamesh, Everyday Use, A Farewell to Arms, Frankenstein, The Grapes of Wrath, Great Gatsby, Great Expectations, Glass Menagerie, Gulliver's Travels, The Handmaid's Tale, Heart of Darkness, The Iliad, Invisible Man, Jane Eyre, The Joy Luck Club, The Lottery, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, Metamorphosis, My Antonia, My Papa's Waltz, Neuromancer, The Odyssey, Oedipus Rex, On the Road, Oresteia, Paradise Lost, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Pride and Prejudice, A Raisin in the Sun, A Rose for Emily, The Scarlet Letter, Siddhartha, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, ...
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...Walter Younger, a character in Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun begins as a very conflicted character who puts his needs before his family’s. But as time goes on and he matures, he learns from his mistakes. Hansberry shows with symbolism and conflict this transition and that anyone can accomplish anything by never giving up and staying hopeful. Walter is a character who is constantly faced with obstacles and must continually overcome them. He also shows the greatest change as a character in the play. Many of the conflicts that arise in the play are because of the insurance check worth ten thousand dollars that Mama receives when her husband Walter Sr. dies. Mama entrusts him with the remaining 6,500 dollars on the condition he...
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...14th | |Introduction to the course, syllabus, schedule, materials, and peers. | | | | | |Thursday, January 16th | |In class we’ll read the poem, “My Papa’s Waltz” by Roethke (274), practice textual analysis, and work on an | | | |outline. | | | |Homework: Pg. 276, questions 14-16, and “making an argument” 4; | | | |Read the poem, “Those Winter Sundays” by Hayden (13) and answer | | | |questions 1-6. | | | | | |Tuesday, January 21st | |In class we’ll re-read the poem, “Those Winter Sundays” by Hayden, look at an earlier draft, practice textual | | ...
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