...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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...A Raisin Review Kenneth Hawthorne English/125 3/15/2016 University of Phoenix A Raisin Review “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or faster like a sore and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode”. (Langston Hughes, Harlem) The author Lorraine Hansberry was born May 19, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois. Lorraine Hansberry's writing style is autobiographical, and was the first black playwright to create realistic black characters for the stage. Leanne Hansberry's play a raisin in the sun received multiple most notably the (New York drama critics Circle award for the best player of the year) she was the youngest playwright, fifth woman and first black woman to win this award. Although Lorraine Hansberry died at the age of 35 cancers 1965, her depiction of the 1950s black family in the south side of Chicago is something that will last forever in the hearts and minds of readers forever. You could say that Lorraine Hansberry made an autobiographical story about all families dealing with death, money, pregnancy, race, and ideals. However, this play was not just about black-and-white, it was introspective look into the black community. The play shows how the black community views itself in 1950's Chicago and that had to be difficult. In the 1950s and early 60s, there was no room to be fake and imaginary, you had to give the people an authentic...
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...Deferred” by Langston Hughes A dream is a goal in life, not just dreams experienced during sleep. Most people use their dreams as a way of setting future goals for themselves. Dreams can help to assist people in getting further in life because it becomes a personal accomplishment. Langston Hughes's poem "Dream Deferred" is speaks about what happens to dreams when they are put on hold. The poem leaves it up to the reader to decide what dream is being questioned. In the opening of the poem the speaker uses a visual image that is also a simile to compare a dream deferred to a raisin. "Does it dry up/ like a raisin in the sun?" The simile in the question is comparing a dream deferred to raisin in the sun. Like a raisin, a dream deferred shrivels up and turns dark because the sun has baked it. The emphasis on the sun is important because it stresses time-we measure time by the sun's movement. Like the raisin, the dream has been on hold for a long-time consequently, it has transformed into something very...
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...A raisin in the sun by Lorraine Hansberry shows the struggle of a colored families in trying to live the lives of the white people. A raisin in the sun was released in March 11, 1959 were there was extreme segregation going on between black and white communities. Black people were charged more even though their income was generally less. White communities were also much more educated giving black communities a disadvantage. In 1968 the fair housing act was released but white people were still finding loopholes around this. Similar to a raisin in the sun if a black person began to live in a white neighborhood it would cause a outbreak. Often during this time period there was lots of verbal and physical abuse brought onto to the black people. The scene in a raisin in the sun in which mama tells the family how she had spent the money is crucial because the play had revolved around the money, the money will also be crucial to the advancement of the play and the difficulties that the Younger family will encounter. The scene in which moma reveals of her spending of the money (pg.89-96) is important to the play because the whole play was...
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...Olympic Athlete Gail Devers once said “keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe”. The quote relates well to Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is a play about an African American family in who lived in Chicago in the late 1950s. From the beginning of the play the three main characters wanted the American dream. According to dictionary.com the American dream is the “ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American.” But in the unjust situation of the Younger family the American dream was maybe another dream left in the heads of promising African American. But in the play Raisin in the sun, Hansberry makes an exception with her characters Mrs. Younger, Walter Lee, and Beneatha have memorable dreams. These dreams reveal a great deal about the nature of the characters’, which unjust societal expectations and discrimination cannot destroy. Travelling down the timeline of American history, the problem of discrimination is inevitable. In the 1950s discrimination took a turn for the worse when racial segregation was born. Hansberry use each characters...
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...Kelly Haddix Eng Comp 2 Jason Elznic 04/25/2012 My essay will show how Marxism is portrayed within the two short stories, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and A Raisin in the Sun. The purpose of this essay is to explain the Marxism role within these two short stories. I will use an academic approach to accomplish this objective. The role of Marxism is portrayed within these two stories, and I will show how Marxism is portrayed and defined by comparing these two short stories. The similarities between the two stories are that both Walter and McMurphy are fighting against a society that is bent on repressing them. Walter with the white community, and McMurphy with the hospital staff at the mental institution, namely Nurse Ratched. Nurse Ratched represents the controlling party in the mental institution where as the white realtor Mr. Lindner represents the controlling party of the white housing community. According to Dictionary.com the definition of Marxism states that “society is basically the struggle between the social classes.” Randle McMurphy McMurphy showed signs of Marxism’s conflict theory, focusing on the struggles between the classes (nurses and patients).McMurphy violated the norms of society when he was charged with statutory rape and sanctions were imposed, sending him to prison. McMurphy creates a society amongst the patients at the mental institution, which largely affects the structure of the institution. His relationship with the other patients...
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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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...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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...you will analyze the characterization, dramatic irony, plot, and conflict in Oedipus Rex and A Raisin in the Sun. Then, answer the question below the matrix. Oedipus Rex A Raisin in the Sun Characterization In this drama the most important characters include Oedipus Rex, Creon, and Iocaste. In this drama the most important characters include Walter, Ruth, Beneatha, and Lena Dramatic Irony The dramatic irony in this drama is that Oedipus Rex moved from his home because a prophecy dictated he would kill his father and marry his mother. The dramatic irony is that he ends up moving far away and finds out he was an orphan who was sent away by his mother to the same place where her did kill his father and marry his mother and they had children together. The dramatic irony in this drama is that Lena finally trusts her boy (Walter) to take care of Beneatha’s schooling and use the rest of for his venture which he thinks will pan out, but he gets ripped off. Plot The plot of the story is that no one should judge someone else unless they know the truth. The difficulty is that the man who helps Oedipus is the same man he accused of trying to kill him. The plot of this story is to look at who you do business with no matter what the reward will be. Conflict The conflict in this story is who Creon should believe when it comes to life. It is also important to look who is the one presenting the problem. The conflict is with Lena. Does she trust her son or does she live their dream...
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...Questions on A Raisin in the Sun Answer any 8 questions, but make sure to answer #8 1. What does Mama’s plant represent, and how does the symbol evolve over the course of the play? Examine the end of the play. Why is Mama returning for her plant the last action we see on stage ?Mamas plant represents her faith in her dreams. That regardless of their living arrangements and life’s struggles, but never to give up on anything. She took care of it every day it was a representation of her dreams to always live in a bigger and better house with a yard. It showed how strong she was throughout everything life gave her. That’s why she took the new plant to the new house to show that never giving up and keeping your faith her strength in believing in dreams that they come true. Struggle but to maintain your dignity. Dreams do come true. 2. How does the description of the Younger’s’ apartment contribute to the mood of the play? The apartment sets the mood because it sets the surroundings and the environment . It is a small apt with one window it gives the feeling of being cramped and trapped. It lets you know there in the ghetto and are poverty stricken. 3. How does the idea of assimilation become important? The family shows in the hope to succeed regardless of any obstacles. The struggles with their identity as with being African Americans. Beneatha with her academics to be a doctor to heal, and as well as her conflicts with Everyone. ...
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...A Raisin In The Sun By Kareem Hamze A Raisin In The Sun Final Edit English 132-52 Joseph Doherty November 19th 2013 Kareem Hamze Joseph Doherty November 19 2013 Raisin in the Sun Imagine living in a world where you and your family are looked down upon. Imagine living in a world where you were treated different because of the color of your skin. Imagine living in a world where you were forced to watch the white man is more dominate than you. Well, Walter Younger and his family lived that life. A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is a story about an African American family who lives in a time where racial discrimination was in major effect, it made life a living hell for black families. She explains this though the life of Walter Younger and his family. First, White and Blacks were segregated. Due to the racial discrimination, Walter and his family were not the richest people. Jobs available to African Americans were limited. Walter He worked as a chauffeur. Lorrain Hansberry grew up around the time when racial discrimination was very affective. She gives an idea of what she had been through. She does so by giving Walter this poor trait. A job that one would take only if it was your very last option. Mama, Walter’s mother, is expected to get a big check in the mail from her husband’s life insurance. With this money, she plans on buying a new house. She wants a house in a white neighborhood. At first it seemed risky, but in reality, it was a huge step...
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...A Raisin in the Sun By: Daniel Alejandro Mendivil Ahuatzin 4th hour Racism is a major issue that has affected the United States since its discovery. Racism is the hatred by a person of one race pointed at a person of another race. The United States has grown up to improve as a whole but this process is a long way away from completion. Some citizens still believe that African-Americans are inferior to Caucasians and that they should be slaves. In the 1950s, whites and blacks were segregated to a point that they could not go to the same schools or even use the same bathrooms. Chief Justice Earl Warren abolished the segregation of schools in May of 1954. The desegregation of schools has helped people of all races grow up together in a non-hostile environment where they can develop relationships with people of other races. Throughout the play A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry criticizes the racial and discriminatory climate of America in the 1950s and early 60s. It becomes obvious to the reader that the racial tension Hansberry experienced growing up reflected on the way her literature is written. Moss and Wilson state that, “Lorraine Hansberry’s South Side childhood, particularly her father’s battle to move into a white neighborhood, provided the background for the events in the play” (314). Hansberry experienced many of the situations she placed the Younger family at first hand. Hansberry’s father, Carl Hansberry, was put in a similar circumstance when he moved...
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...Gatsby and A Raisin in the Sun. For example, they are similar because their entire lives revolve around money. Also, they define their lives by determining what social class they live in. Another main likeness between the two is that they reside in large cities. Which leads to problems that people in rural communities wouldn’t have. On the other hand, they also have major differences. One is wealthy, the other lives in poverty. Jay Gatsby lives in a paradise-like community in New York, while Walter Younger and his family live in the slums of Chicago. Another difference between them is their race. Jay, being a white, is a well respected individual in his part of town. The Youngers, being African American, have a hard time finding their place in the city of Chicago. Especially when they decide to move to a white association. The final difference is that even though they are in similar situations, and despite their hardships, the Younger family always seems to find a silver lining in whatever they are going through. Gatsby, on the other hand, is always discontent with his life. Jay Gatsby, a bootlegger, was probably introduced to “big money” when he started in the business. Because of that, events that occur during his life, or big decisions that he has to make, is centered around money. In other words, every thought that runs through his mind deals (in some way) with his money, or money that can be earned. This is also the case for the Younger family in A Raisin in the Sun. Although...
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.../Matthew Cason English 112 Thomas Hyder 11/12/2013 A Compare and Contrast of Characters In life when comparing things they either have something in common or not. I'm comparing both the similarities and differences between the characters Walter Lee Younger from “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry and Tom Wingfield from “Glass Menagerie” written by Tennessee Williams. Although these characters personalities are different, they do have many things in common such as they both have their own dreams or wants in life. Each character also as well has their own different set of problems or conflicts to deal with going on in their lives. Family plays a key role in both of these plays, by the end of “Glass Menagerie” Tom leaves his family behind to pursue his own life just like his father did. By the end of “A Raisin in the Sun” Walter Lee finally realizes what he must rightfully do for his family which is moving into the white neighborhood despite the communities efforts and Mr. Lindner's offering of money to keep his family out of the area. Tom Wingfield has dreams of not working in the warehouse anymore and moving on with his life by becoming a poet. His constant hobby of writing poems and reading all the time got him the nickname Shakespeare from one of his fellow co-workers. Tom also wants adventure, excitement, new settings and new experiences. On the other hand, Walter Lee has the aspiring dream of opening up his own liquor store. In doing that, he hopes that it...
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...A Raisin in the Sun is a book written by Lorraine Hansberry. It is about a poor African American family getting a chance to make it out of their poor lifestyle conditions with an insurance check of a passed loved one. The Younger family lives in a small apartment with only two bedrooms with five people living in it. Each of the family members have their own ideas on how to spend the insurance check money. Two characters that influence this plot the most would be Mama and Walter. Mama is the one who is receiving the insurance check for the passing away of her husband. Mama is caring of her family, especially her grandson Travis. As soon as Mama receives the insurance check of ten thousand dollars, she goes out and buys a house for her little...
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