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Countee Cullen's A Raisin In The Sun

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How does the reaction of Karl Lindner in coming to the Youngers house and trying to appeal to them to sell the house back to the white community tell about the way white people viewed those of color during this time period? How was Mama’s decision to buy a house in Clybourne Park, a white neighborhood, even though it was cheaper a wise or foolish decision? There are many symbols within “A Raisin In The Sun”, which symbol from the play most vividly express a refusal to conform to the societies racial segregation and standard? How does this symbol represent this refusal and how is it portrayed throughout the book? Despite the fact the Mr. Younger never direct speaks in the play what can we learn about the character of Mr. Younger through what …show more content…

Describe what this new house in Clybourne Park represent to Mama, Walter, and Ruth’s? The dream of Beneatha differs from Mama’s, Walters, and Ruth’s in that it is not a material dream. What is Beneatha seeking that goes beyond the rest of the family’s material success? How do Beneatha and her dream represent a different generation of Colored Americans during this time period? In a poem written by Countee Cullen titled “Hey, Black Child” the author discusses the possibilities of a black child if only he or she can work towards their goal. This poem was written during the Harlem Renaissance a time when new economic, financial, social, and political opportunities were opening for the black communities in Harlem that were not there before. Considering the discrimination and segregation in “A Raisin In The Sun” does the poem, “Hey Black Child” stand true during a time like this? This book takes places during the 1900’s when racial segregation was prevalent in the US. Being a black woman during this time period how does Beneatha’s aspiration to become a doctor express her personality? Why is Walter against the idea of Beneatha being a

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Beneatha is a confident person and she wants to figure out and explore who she is. While arguing with Mama and Ruth about marriage and her future, Beneatha says, “I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here better understand that!” (50). During the argument Beneatha is very assertive of her beliefs and what she wants to do. She is very adamant that she wants to be a doctor

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589 Words | 3 Pages

Barely any women aspire to become doctors, and Beneatha could feel incapable of doing so. Beneatha could be considered an “other” for trying to go against the stereotypical way for women, which could give her complications throughout her career. Lastly, Beneatha endures inequality by facing the fact that there are very few Black

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754 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout the novel “A raisin in the sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, Beneatha Younger stands out the most amongst the Younger family, described as a 20 year old college student who one day dreams of becoming a doctor, Beneatha carries herself adequately regardless of what her family’s financial status is. When Beneatha was first introduced to the audience; she comes across as an ungrateful, self-centered person who does not seem to realize or appreciate the sacrifices that her family makes in order for her to obtain an education that will suit her future career of becoming a doctor. Beneatha by far is the most privileged person in the Younger house hold, as well as having the highest education. Beneatha may sometimes be described as a very obnoxious, outspoken young woman, as well as self-centered.

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The family is supposed to live on the south side of Chicago because although this is not a law, a lot of African Americans are still staying separate from whites. Mr. Lindner, a representative of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, makes it very clear further along in the story that blacks don’t belong in white neighborhoods. As the laws are starting to become less limiting segregation is becoming a thing of the past.

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934 Words | 4 Pages

Beneatha 's dream is to go to college and become a doctor. She wants to prove her family´s disbeliefs of her becoming a doctor wrong. Yet she feels defeated after her brother, Walter, goes out and gives away all of her college money to some man that ends up disappearing with the money. She faces challenges financially and faces backlash from her family.

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866 Words | 4 Pages

Beneatha wants to study to become a doctor, but instead Walter Lee wants to spend his family’s insurance money so he can open a liquor store with Willy and Bobo his friends and be a man. Since Walter Lee and his family were in a bad position and were very poor it was Walter Younger’s responsibility to keep the family together and he saw this a very big responsibility. He frequently complained about being a chauffeur and ridding rich people, every day when he woke up in the morning. He would always fight with his wife Ruth, Mama and his sister Beneatha. For instance (Hansberry 32-34) he says to Ruth his wife “You tired, ain’t you?

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699 Words | 3 Pages

Beneatha is a young independent woman, who has big dreams of becoming a doctor. During the 1950, it was very rare for a young woman to become a doctor. As a result, becoming a doctor was even harder for a young black woman, like Beneatha. She is constantly told that women should just sit and look pretty. Constantly being put down by George Murchison a man that neglects his roots, “I don’t go out with you to discuss the nature of “quiet desperation”or to hear all about your thoughts...

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910 Words | 4 Pages

Beneatha’s dream to become a doctor connects to the American Dream through freedom. She wants to be able to achieve her own life and make a living for

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892 Words | 4 Pages

She goes to school all of the time and enjoys it. Beneatha has her mind set on being a doctor and that’s what she is going to do. There is no doubt in her mind that she can do it. When Beneatha was a little girl she remembers seeing a boys face slit open right in front of her and she was immediately hooked.

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I choice A Raisin In the Sun and decided to concentrate on the ideas of finding your strength, and discovering your roots in a world that doesn’t want you there. I feel the original play captures a feeling of hope and pride, and that as a family, you can endure anything. My concept deals with the current situation with Syrian Muslim refugees coming to the United States. I envision this play about a modern day Syrian family of Muslim faith coming to this country and initially living in an urban area in a poor run-down apartment, but dreaming of the American dream of owning a home and succeeding in business. The family has a strong Muslim faith and is not willing to give up on traditions.

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1501 Words | 7 Pages

Lindner tried to buy the Youngers’ house back from them and keep segregated housing systems under the guise of altruism. The elder Youngers and George try to convince Beneatha to conform to gender roles and settle down for the benefit of everyone. However, those who push these prejudices do not consider the meaning nor possible positive outcomes of breaking them. The Youngers’ decision to move into a suburban white neighborhood despite objections is a small action that would lead to The Civil Rights Movement. Beneatha’s refusal to conform to gender roles is the first small step to gender equality.

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1565 Words | 7 Pages

The Younger family is a low-middle class family who has money and support to help them move forward. With all of the working adults in the family, they all prepare to move into their dream home in Clybourne Park until Walter makes a startling speech to Mr. Lindner, which shocked the family. Walter telling Mr. Lindner that they are moving symbolizes freedom because they are acknowledging their right to choose a home at an all-White neighborhood, despite the issue of racism. “Brick by brick” is a metaphor used by Walter which represents hard work and the building foundation of their new home. In relation to Blacks’ labor and structural quality, Walter’s deceased father, Big Walter, helped build the family’s dream home which compensated for Big Walter’s service as a slave to the Whites for many

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816 Words | 4 Pages

She defies the ideal life for a woman and expresses her opinion loud and clear. Beneatha throughout the play finds herself and her African American roots. Walter does not approve of Beneatha’s hopes to become a doctor he tells her, “If you so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people---then go be a nurse like other women---or just get married and be quiet. . .” (1.1.125) These social issues that the characters faced in their lives made them out to be the people that they were meant to be.

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1502 Words | 7 Pages

Beneatha dreams to be a doctor, which is a male-dominated profession. She says, “I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here better understand that!” (Hansberry 33). This shows her feminist attitude in the play when Beneatha takes a largely optimistic stance when facing troubles of entering a male-dominated profession, implying that she is a ‘non-conformist’. Additionally, Beneatha refuses to “just get married and be quiet” (Hansberry 22), as her chauvinistic brother, Walter Lee, expects her to be.

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779 Words | 4 Pages

His sister, Beneatha, wants to become a doctor and Walter isn't very supportive of her decision. Walter's wife, Ruth, is the recipient of the majority of Walter's anger and sexist remarks. In Act 1 Scene 1, the audience learns that Beneatha, a colored woman, wants to become a doctor and attends medical school. Beneatha and Walter begin to banter with each other about Mama’s money.

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