The theme of this book is universal, and applies to every minority in the world. The author's purpose could be more difficult to find. Hansberry gives us views of overcoming racism and discrimination. She also gives us views on getting over tragedies. Walter Lee Younger is the epic center of all of the pain going on in the family. Hansberry has a lot of reasons for writing this book. Lorraine Hansberry wrote it because she wants minority to know throw any tragedy, you can be prosperous. The purpose for writing "A Raisin in the Sun" was because the tragedy of Walter Lee Young losing his integrity. Walter Lee Younger lost his integrity in pursuit of money, which was life to him. For example, Walter Lee Younger said, “Money is life” (58). This made his mother Lena (Mama) see that his son was lost. Walter was conflicted and did nothing else but drink, he lost who he was. He was not being honest to himself or his family.Another reason why Lorraine Hansberry wrote "A Raisin in the Sun" was because the tragedy of Walter Lee Younger losing his pride. Pride is man’s number one tool to lead or keep control of something. For example, Walter Lee Younger made it clear that the only thing that would save him and his family was the money when he said “THAT MONEY IS MADE OUT OF MY FATHER’S FLESH” when he found out that Willy stole the money (112). He lost his pride because everything he did for his family was lost. This was very tragic moment; the thing that he thought would save his family was what brought them more pain.Hansberry also wrote this because of the tragedy of Walter Lee Younger losing his role model, Walter Lee Sr. Walter Lee Sr’s death was tragic because Walter Lee Younger had to immediately have to take the leader role of his family, which was overwhelming for him. For example, Mama said “I seen him grow thin and old before he was forty…. working and working and working like somebody’s old horse… killing himself… and you (Walter Lee Younger)— you give it all away in one day” (113). That was a key point to prove Walter Lee Younger was not ready for the role of Leader of the family. The tragedy of this was the fact that Walter Lee Younger wasn’t able to become a man until he lost everything.Hansberry's purpose for writing this was to show us through tragedy you can still be prosperous. A tragedy is when a dramatic situation eats at ones pride and joy. The play A Raisin in the Sun fits that definition perfectly. Walter Lee Younger’s pride, integrity, and role model were all taken away from him. He failed to live in his father’s image. He failed to assure happiness in his family, and he failed to stay true to himself. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine HansberryMy rating: 4 of 5 starsThe theme of this book is universal, and applies to every minority in the world. The author's purpose could be more difficult to find. Hansberry gives us views of overcoming racism and discrimination. She also gives us views on getting over tragedies. Walter Lee Younger is the epic center of all of the pain going on in the family. Hansberry has a lot of reasons for writing this book. Lorraine Hansberry wrote it because she wants minority to know throw any tragedy, you can be prosperous. The purpose for writing "A Raisin in the Sun" was because the tragedy of Walter Lee Young losing his integrity. Walter Lee Younger lost his integrity in pursuit of money, which was life to him. For example, Walter Lee Younger said, “Money is life” (58). This made his mother Lena (Mama) see that his son was lost. Walter was conflicted and did nothing else but drink, he lost who he was. He was not being honest to himself or his family.Another reason why Lorraine Hansberry wrote "A Raisin in the Sun" was because the tragedy of Walter Lee Younger losing his pride. Pride is man’s number one tool to lead or keep control of something. For example, Walter Lee Younger made it clear that the only thing that would save him and his family was the money when he said “THAT MONEY IS MADE OUT OF MY FATHER’S FLESH” when he found out that Willy stole the money (112). He lost his pride because everything he did for his family was lost. This was very tragic moment; the thing that he thought would save his family was what brought them more pain.Hansberry also wrote this because of the tragedy of Walter Lee Younger losing his role model, Walter Lee Sr. Walter Lee Sr’s death was tragic because Walter Lee Younger had to immediately have to take the leader role of his family, which was overwhelming for him. For example, Mama said “I seen him grow thin and old before he was forty…. working and working and working like somebody’s old horse… killing himself… and you (Walter Lee Younger)— you give it all away in one day” (113). That was a key point to prove Walter Lee Younger was not ready for the role of Leader of the family. The tragedy of this was the fact that Walter Lee Younger wasn’t able to become a man until he lost everything.Hansberry's purpose for writing this was to show us through tragedy you can still be prosperous. A tragedy is when a dramatic situation eats at ones pride and joy. The play A Raisin in the Sun fits that definition perfectly. Walter Lee Younger’s pride, integrity, and role model were all taken away from him. He failed to live in his father’s image. He failed to assure happiness in his family, and he failed to stay true to himself.View all my reviews
There are more than a few established classics that I had never heard of until I did my teaching degree here in Canada. Since everyone else had come through the Canadian school system, they were very knowing about "The Lottery", Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird and A Raisin in the Sun. These established American classics got blank looks from me. Well, not so much Mockingbird; I'd heard of that one a couple of years before, and the name was familiar to me from before moving here. But I'd never heard of A Raisin in the Sun. Here in Toronto, grade 9 kids watch the movie and read the play, and it seems to make a lasting impression, given how excited the adults in my English class at OISE* were every time it was mentioned. Since I wanted to teach English (and History) here**, I thought I better brush up on the local canon (no one seemed to notice or care that their institutionalised English canon was largely American, even though there are plenty of good Canadian works around - neglected, but hanging on all the same).If, like me, you aren't familiar with this play from the 50s, here's a quick run-down: set in Chicago in the small and dingy apartment of a black family, the play is about the dreams of these family members - Lena Younger ("Mama"), her son Walter and daughter Beneatha, Walter's wife Ruth and their young boy Travis - and their excitement and anticipation for a cheque of ten thousand dollars from the life insurance of Lena's husband. They each have dreams of what they could do with the money, which belongs to Lena. She wants to put most of it towards Beneatha's medical degree so she can be a doctor. Ruth wants a home of her own. Her husband Walter wants the money to get into a bottle-shop business with two other men, so he can quit being a chauffeur to some rich white family.Money, as usual, causes more problems than it solves, but in the case of the Younger family it's more complicated than that. There's so much subtlety in this play, so much going on in the small details. It's exquisitely written, simple, honest, forthright, daring, vulnerable, earnest, and yearning. Each character captures so much, embodies so much (they are each a cliché, it's true, but that only makes them even more representative - plus, clichés are clichés because they're true, not because they're unoriginal; at least, that's how they start). They are believable as individuals and as part of a family - and also as spokespeople for their fellows. They way they speak, each with their own distinct cadence and pronunciation and diction; their ideals and aspirations: they live and breath on the page just as they would on the stage.What really struck me as I was reading this, is that if you had told me it was written last year, or anytime really, I would have believed you. It still seems so current, so relevant. Yes, regarding black people in a white-dominated world, but also regarding the lower classes, the working poor. Even if race relations were better than they are, class divisions persist just as rottenly as ever. This story really impressed me. I ached for them. I felt what they felt, even when these feelings contradicted themselves as the family members came head-to-head - especially against Walter. You can't help but empathise with them all, in an earthy, human, organic way. And considering how little, really, has changed - yes, the play is just as relevant and timely as ever, not just in America (for which I can't personally speak) but just as especially in other ex-British colonies like Canada and Australia, which are more multi-cultural but just as divisive in their way. There's more going on this play that class and race. Beneatha represents a struggle for identity and frustrated feminism, and her friend Joseph Asagai brings the larger, political spectrum into their living room - especially interesting in the context of having recently read Half of a Yellow Sun. There's the issue of rights, of responsibility and morality, and a day-to-day struggle that felt familiar. I like how the play's described in the blurb, as "authentic, unsentimental and unflinching" - three excellent words to capture the quality of this play.____________________________________________________* OISE stands for "Ontario Institute for Studies in Education"; it's part of the University of Toronto. Apparently it's the most difficult place to get into for a teaching degree - really it just has the best location so everyone applies and they get their pick of the best. ** I still do want to teach here, but at graduation I discovered that there are no teaching jobs in the province. Now I'm working at the Ministry of Education and it's even clearer than before that the jobs don't exist - not even for French teachers, not anymore. Scary times. So, my perfect job has been shelved until things improve.
What do You think about A Raisin In The Sun (2002)?
I didn't finish this. It was good writing. It had okay characters, a bit typish, but whatever. The reason I didn't finish it is because even if the title didn't give it away, it became clear that it would end badly. I don't want to teach my kids about how hard life is, and the probability problems people from the ghetto have. They know that shit. It got me thinking about American Classic Drama. I went on a Eugene O'Neil kick back in college, and he was another great fatalist. We all know about "The Death of a Salesman", and Tennessee Williams. Its not just sad. Its a certain type of whine about the overwhelming forces that control life, that give man so little choice, you know, Oedipus Rex, but add in some ideas about economics and sociology. Why? Because really, as a whole, it sucks. Think about Bill Shakey, he could flip both the tragedy, and the comedy. And even is he tragedies there are people who are forces for redemption, stronger than the tides of economics and socialization. I recently finished this- I'm teaching it. It has a great definition of manhood in it- a counter-definition to the American one.
—J. Trott
I was given a good word about this play from a classmate. Since it was a play and I had never read one on my own before, this was a literary experience for me. I decided to go through with the play after reading the synopsis. The synopsis mentioned that this play was an “award-winning drama about the hopes and aspirations of a struggling, working-class family living on the Southside of Chicago connected profoundly with the psyche of black America.” What caught my attention was the point of view that could be found within the story. Lorraine Hansberry, the author of this play, was a black woman herself and lived in the Southside of Chicago just like the characters in the play. Knowing this information, makes the author more reliable with her writing. It also makes the story more genuine. Her being more relatable to the characters helped her write a better point of view. The play was centered around a family and their day-to-day life experiences and struggles. It was relatable to my life and that factor made the read very enjoyable. There were points of humor which made me laugh, because they were either really funny or the moment reminded me of my own family. The very beginning which describes a morning in the Young household, was very similar to a morning like my own family's. From the struggles to waking someone up to mom yelling at one of her kids that they cannot leave the house because they simply do not look ready. In each character I noticed a characteristic that reminded me of myself. Walter does not fully think out his plans before going through with them. This is proven regarding the situation of him wanting to open up the liquor shop, despite the family’s protests. Beneatha is the educated one of the family and I see that as myself when it comes to my family. I would have to say that I am the most educated one in my immediate family. In Lena, I see myself in the way that we’re both moral. I like to stick to what is right and what is best for the people around me. I would like to give this book a 5, because for the most part it was an entertaining read and I loved that it was a play. The format was helpful and easy to read. I also enjoyed reading the stage directions, which helped me picture the scenes. I would recommend this play to a reader that enjoys family humor as well as a reader who enjoys historical fiction.
—Samantha
Hansberry's death from cancer at 34 just six years after the publication and first production of Raisin in the Sun was a real loss to both the literary and dramatic worlds. Not everyone likes to read plays; I enjoy them. This one is exceptional. The characters are well-defined, real, memorable; the interaction among them vibrant, interesting, at times gut-wrenching, never dull. Raisin is a snapshot of black urban life on the eve of the sixties, just before the civil rights movement. And yet, we who know history can read the play as Monday morning quarterbacks and see the foreshadowing in changing hairstyles and generational disputes. Three generations of Youngers share a two room flat in Chicago and struggle to maintain family, dignity, dreams, life and morality against often insurmountable odds. Most highly recommended!
—booklady
