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A Raisin In The Sun Allusion Analysis

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The play by Lorraine Hansberry , A Raisin In The Sun, utilizes the use of allusions in order to supply the reader with historical background. Allusions create emphasis in the play, this allows the reader to understand and appreciate the text. Within the small details of the play, the use of allusions deepen the contextual support of the text. While reading A Raisin In The Sun, various allusions appear throughout the play. These allusions reference the outside world, but also give emphasis on the importance of the piece of the text references. One instance includes Beneatha speaking to Walter, Mama, and Ruth, saying, “George Murchison! I wouldn’t marry him if he was Adam and I was Eve!”(Hansbury,I.iii.) The reference to Adam and Eve Bible …show more content…

During a conversation in act one scene two, Asagi says, “Well … it is true that this is not so much a profile of a Hollywood queen as perhaps a queen of the Nile.” (Hansbury) This allusion represents the idea and message of cultural ideology, because in the eyes of the people during this time, African Americans were not seen as Hollywood stars. This allusion to an Egyptian queen was chosen because the queen of the Nile was a strong beautiful woman, much like Bennie. A well known Egyptian queen Cleopatra, and to all is known for her beauty, and the allusion reveals the idea that although Beneatha is strong and beautiful, she is not a Hollywood queen. The standards for a Hollywood queen during this time requires white skin and thin hair, something Bennie did not have. At the end of the play in act, Bennie goes on to accept these ideologies and end the play with her walking out saying she is going “To become a queen of the Nile!” and exits in “a breathless blaze of glory”. ( Hansbury, I.1,i.2) Bennie understands and realizes that a queen of the Nile is still a queen, and she is incorporating that power into her own hopes and dreams. The message sent with this allusion is positive and hopeful because Bennie sees this as a position of

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