A Raisin In The Sun Novel Project Essay Example

and continually tries to convince the Youngers to move, creating tension within the family.

Universal Truth

A universal truth in this play is that society conditions us. In this society we have been conditioned to equate happiness with money and possessions.

Symbol

One symbol is the plant mama takes care of. This plant and the amount of care she puts into it represents her love and dreams for her family. Mama cannot care for her plant as much as she wishes but she tries her best nonetheless. The author uses this to identify the love that Mama has for her family to the reader.

Imagery

Hansberry uses visual imagery when she describes the characters and their actions. She describes Ruth as attacking “a huge pile of rough-dried clothes, sprinkling them in preparation for the ironing and then rolling them into tight fat balls” (Act 1, scene 1). This use of imagery provides a clear descriptions of the characters surroundings and and behaviour throughout the play.

Tone

Hansberry takes on a very cynical tone when Mama says that it “Seem like God didn't see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams -but He did give us children to make them dreams seem worthwhile” (Act 1, Scene 1). Mama is remarking that for black people, dreams will only ever be dreams and never be achieved. A tone of pride is used when Walter says that “We don’t want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors.

And that’s all we got to say about that. We don’t want your money” (Act 3, Scene 1). Walter is proud of his family and their heritage and

refuses to move. When Walter says that “...we all tied up in a race of people that don’t know how to do nothing but moan, pray and have babies!” (Act 2, Scene 1) he uses a tone of anger to express his disdain towards his own race.

Point of View

This play is written from a third person limited point of view. The audience sees some insight into the character’s thought, mostly through stage directions.

Diction

Hansberry uses many colloquialisms and informal language. Ruth says that “...I ain’t got no fifty cents” (Act 1, Scene1). This shows the language used by African Americans of the time. This informal language and colloquialism is also exemplified when Ruth says that she “ain’t one never been ’fraid of no crackers” (Act 2, Scene 1). This language helps the reader to learn about the background of the family and their culture.

Syntax

Hansberry uses simple sentence structure in much of the characters dialogue. For example when Ruth asks “What kind of dance is that? A folk dance” (Act 2, Scene 1). This simple structure creates a faster pace to the dialogue. In Act 2, Scene 1 George exclaims “Oh, dear, dear, dear! Here we go! A lecture on the African past! On our Great West African Heritage!” This use of exclamatory sentences shows the emotion and annoyance in George’s voice, allowing someone reader the play to experience the play similarly to watching and hearing it.

Literary Device

Irony is present throughout this play. In one instance Walter remarks that he is upset “cause we all tied up in a race of people that don’t know how to do nothing but moan, pray and have babies!” (Act 2,

Scene 1). This is ironic because Walter feels as if all African Americans do nothing but whine about their circumstances, even though he continuously does this himself throughout the play.

Recommendation

This play sheds light on the issues that faced African Americans during this time. It provides the reader beautiful and deep imagery of an African American family as they attempt to find their own version of the American Dream. An early version of feminism is also introduced providing an interesting point of view in the story. This story is very well written and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

AHA Moment

“A Raisin in the Sun” taught me of the difficulties faced by African Americans years ago, and still today. Many were pressured to assimilate into white American culture and destroy their African culture, all while faced with extreme racism and segregation. African Americans still struggle today to maintain both of their cultural identities, and many still face the same racism.