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Comparing Power In Antigone And A Raisin In The Sun

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Fighting power in Antigone and A Raisin In The Sun
“Power concedes nothing without demand.”- Frederick Douglass. Meaning the people in power will never pay attention to anything that isn’t pushed upon and demanded by the people. Throughout history people have fought for their beliefs and even have given up their lives for their beliefs. Whether it was actual events, novels, legends, plays, or movies. For example, in Sophocles’ Play Antigone, it centers around a brave young women fighting for her brother’s burial rights, even when the powerful king Creon forbids anyone to do it. And if disobeyed death wishes would be granted. Different in many ways but also similar, Lorraine Hansberry’s play Raisin In The Sun. It focuses on a Black family living …show more content…

When the family is deciding on what to do with the 10,000 dollar check mama sparks the idea of moving out of their cramped apartment and buying a brand new house in a predominantly white neighborhood called Clybourne Park. When telling Ruth about her new decision, Ruth says, “ Clybourne Park? Mama, there ain’t no colored people living in Clybourne Park”. Mama responds, “Well, I guess there’s going to be some now”. (93) Even though Mama knows about the racial tension in America, she still decides to move into a predominantly white neighborhood. The Youngers live in a society where Black people have been racially oppressed and so the worst thing a Black family could do in the world is succeed. And Mama basically leads the way to support her family, even when society stands in her way.When Walter decides to sell the house back to Clybourne park and receive money, he tries to dismiss Travis from listening. Mama responds, “No. Travis, you stay right here. And you make him understand what you doing, Walter Lee. You teach him good Like Willy Harris taught. You sow where our five generations done come to.”(147) Mama is so committed to having a better life for her family, she’s risking their lives. And when Walter almost tries to to take the money from Clybourne, Mama becomes very upset because Walter was going to give the Younger’s opportunity away. Even though Mama didn’t directly say she's willing to sacrifice her life to fight oppressive power, one can assume that since she moves the family to Clybourne Park knowing the consequences, she’s fighting for the Black American dream. By giving historical context, it was dangerous for Black to try and integrate white facilities and places. But Mama, this brave character decides to move her family into Clybourne park, to live

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“Them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. I did the best I could.” (Hansberry 2.i). This shows that Mama doesn’t care what other people in an all white neighborhood might think of her family, she only wants her family to be in a more comfortable living position. The rest of the family is afraid of what others might think of them and don’t agree with Mama’s idea of moving into the neighborhood.

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