A Raisin In The Sun Research Paper

The play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry successfully demonstrates the struggles of black Americans in the 1950s with poverty, discrimination, and restrictions. The main characters, The Youngers, are forced to grapple with the reality of racism and the many tough decisions that need to be made to live a peaceful life. Throughout the play, the Youngers are faced with several challenges that can change the course of their lives or leave it the same. One of the decisions is whether they should or should not move to a white neighborhood after spending various years in the Black Belt. After several debates, the Youngers later moved to Clybourne Park. Despite the dangers, he was offered money by a man called Karl Lindner. The Youngers decision

Lindner was reasonable because of the minimum space they are provided in their current apartment. At the beginning of the play, the Youngers are constantly complaining about the lack of space they have—one bathroom for all. Beneatha goes on to say, “I am going to start timing those people." Hansberry, Pg. 35 (Hansberry, Pg. 1). Beneatha's statement gives the inference that the Youngers have to share one bathroom with several other people. It's clear the apartment they are in is cramped. If they were to move, they’d have their own space and privacy—with no one rushing them. The lack of space causes several problems, from little privacy to arguments, so the Youngers not refusing to move to an environment where they’d receive that much-needed privacy makes sense. Lastly, others might think that the Youngers’ decision to reject Mr. Lindner's offer was wrong because of the dangers, such as physical harm, black Americans faced moving to white neighborhoods. Black Americans who decided to move to White neighborhoods were under constant threats of harm; they had the chance to endure bombings or get bricks hurled at them. This is stated in an excerpt from the Chicago Public Library. It goes to say, “They suffered constant verbal abuse and the threat of physical violence. Their property was damaged by hurled bricks and explosives were thrown through their windows. African Americans endured danger and ostracism.” Black Americans were under several threats. The Youngers would be no different in this situation; they have dark skin. Even if they presented themselves as great people, they’d still suffer abuse. However, the Youngers would still suffer the same abuse as the black belt. The Black Belt suffered fatal fires, and the houses were neglected to the point they were considered slums. Death rates were also higher in the Black Belt than anywhere else. The Youngers would have a better chance of survival in Clybourne