Eric Zou Ms. Duchossois Language Arts 1 Honors 3 April 2023 Impact of Oppressive Gender Roles in A Raisin in the Sun “It is time that ‘half the human race’ had something to say about the nature of its existence,” wrote Lorraine Hansberry, the first African-American woman to compose a Broadway play. As a feminist in the 20th century, she advocated for women’s rights and wanted female voices to be heard and valued within society. Her play, A Raisin in the Sun, tells the story of a working-class Black family living in Chicago’s South Side during the 1950s, a period when patriarchal values were prevalent in America. The plot focuses on Walter Lee Younger, an ambitious man who dreams of achieving wealth and success while being confined to his crowded …show more content…
As the only man in the household, Walter is burdened with the responsibility of leading his family and providing for their financial needs due to patriarchal norms. At the time, there was a common belief that men were supposed to be the breadwinners of the family. This idea was promoted in various forms of media, often depicting men going to work in formal business attire. Due to these standards of masculinity, Walter feels obligated to earn his family's income and to assume the leadership role previously held by his late father. This pressure is further reinforced by his mother, who urges him to "be the head of this family from now on like you supposed to be" (30). This interaction between a mother and her son illustrates how gender roles were taught and normalized within families. Patriarchal values were passed down through generations, with …show more content…
Considering the historical context, women like Beneatha had limited options when it came to choosing their careers, as more desirable jobs were typically reserved for men. Society often viewed women as incompetent and undeserving of holding respected roles like that of a doctor. This perspective is emphasized by Walter, who advises his sister to “go be a nurse like other women or just get married and be quiet” (6). Walter doubts Beneatha’s ability to become a doctor, and his comment suggests that he sees nursing as a more appropriate career for women in the medical field. Moreover, his suggestion that she should “get married and be quiet” exemplifies the societal pressure placed on women to marry and not voice their opinions. Yet, Beneatha challenges this norm, proudly declaring, “I’m not worried about who I'm going to marry yet if I ever get married” (10-11). Here, Beneatha is portrayed as a confident and independent woman who rejects traditional gender roles by not prioritizing marriage. However, her strong-willed nature makes it difficult for her to form romantic relationships as it goes against social conventions. Women were not valued for their personalities because men focused on physical appearance when looking for a partner. This is