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Dreams In A Raisin In The Sun

1417 Words6 Pages

Deferred dreams: dreams that have persistently been put on hold. Langston Hughes once said, “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” A Raisin in the Sun illustrates what happens to people when their dreams, aspirations, and hopes have been put off. Everybody has dreams that keep them going through the hardest of times; this is evident in various characters throughout the play. When this hope is taken away or put off it is clear that people explode. In Lorraine Hansberry 's play, A Raisin in the Sun, the characters of Mama, Walter, and Beneatha are faced with discriminatory housing restrictions, gender inequality, and gender stereotypes that defer their dreams and cause angst amongst the Younger …show more content…

In A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha questions Mama and Ruth, ¨I just want to learn to play the guitar. Is there anything wrong with that?” (Hansberry 47). Beneatha has tried out a myriad of vehicles to find her happiness. Her family does not understand why she wants to play the guitar. They continually ask her why she cannot just be someone who stays at home. Beneatha wants more for herself. She feels that she deserves to do what makes her happy. With that in mind, Beneatha asserts, ¨...but first I 'm going to be a doctor, and George, for one, still thinks that 's pretty funny. I couldn 't be bothered with that. I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here better understand that!”(Hansberry 50). Beneatha is a headstrong woman who speaks only truth. She does not care what others think. Beneatha has a dream and is not going to let anybody stop her. She blatantly tells her family that she is going to be a doctor and that there is nothing they can do about it. Beneatha knows the harsh reality of her dream: women are not doctors. Beneatha is not going to let these stereotypes break her. As Aretha Franklin writes, ¨All I’m asking for is for a little respect….just a little bit” (Aretha Franklin Lyrics). Beneatha has the worst of all odds going against her, a black young woman during the 1960s. Similar to Aretha Franklin, Beneatha just wanted respect. She wants respect from all people, men and women. ¨Respect¨ was the anthem for women of all races. Not only were black women fighting for equality, they were fighting for freedom of all women. Women wanted to right to vote and be able to be equal to men. Beneatha is fighting both of those battles. All she is asking for is some respect to do what makes her happy. Overall, Beneatha acts the way she does because she believes that she deserves respect. Aretha Franklin 's, ¨Respect” is a song that resonates

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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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One line from her song reads, “The Lord will see us through someday; oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome someday.” This line sounds exactly like something Mama would say. She is a very religious lady who believes God has a plan for their lives. While encouraging Beneatha she says, “Course you going to be a doctor, honey, God willing” (50). Mama realizes that God is the one who really controls their lives, and in the end it comes down to whether he wants Beneatha to be a doctor or not.

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She puts a lot of effort and time in trying to get an education for herself and learn how to be her own person. Beneatha does not want to be with George because she feels that she will not be able to fulfill her dream of being a doctor. For example, “But if the Younger’s are sitting around waiting to see if their little Bennie is going to tie up the family with the Murchisons, they are wasting their time” (Hansberry31).Beneatha wants to be a hardworking woman and this connects to the American Dream because hard work is a big component of achieving what you want. Also, she does not want George Murchison stopping her from being a hard-working woman. She does everything by herself and puts her hard work into everything she does.

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But that wasn’t the reason she stopped her career and dream of being a doctor. The one roadblock that stood in Beneatha’s way was herself. When she at her house she thought to herself, doctors only help people physically, like injuries or surgeries, but I want to help people mentally. I want to motivate people and when people are feeling disappointed in their self, I want to be the one that helps them get through their rough times and help them work things out one step at a

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Beneatha also is very strong minded. She always seems to say what’s on her mind and doesn't care what other people think of it. Her being a very self opinionated person opens up the door for success. This trait will also helps her reach her dream. Beneatha also has self drive.

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She thought it was the only definitive “‘...thing in the world that a human being could do. Fix up the sick...make them whole again’” (Hansberry 133). By saying this, Beneatha thinks this is the most valid way of helping people since other methods such as trying to end poverty are too ambitious and could not be achieved. This shows that she is more selfless, dedicated, and realistic than

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Reader Response: 3 “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, is a play about a black families experience in 1950s South Side Chicago. The story revolves around what happens to the family when Lena Younger, the matriarch of the family, receives a ten thousand dollar life insurance check upon the death of her husband. Everyone from the family has different plans for what they want to do with the money. Lena Younger serves as the head of the family. She is Walter and Beneatha’s caring mother so they and Ruth call her Mama.

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Dreams are great to have because they keep a person motivated, although, they need to be set realistically. An example many can relate to is passing high school, but time and effort is put in while achieving it. In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry it has been shown that dreams are important, however, can cause a big obstacle. Personally dreams should express a positive outlook. In the play dreams are expressed through Mama, Beneatha, and Walter.

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A poem was once written by a black poet named Langston Hughes, The name of this poem is called Dream Deferred. This single poem would cause a black woman named Lorraine Hansberry to write a play called A raisin in the sun. These two would meet for the first time in New York where they would become good friends. The poem asks the question, what happens to a dream deferred, and in turn the play answers that question. And the answer to this question is that when a dream is deferred, it will hurt you and your loved ones very badly.

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Dreams Deferred In A Raisin In The Sun

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For poor African-Americans who lacked education, subservient positions were the only options for work. Lena and Ruth are domestic workers and Walter Lee is a chauffeur (Characters Dreams Deferred in Raisin In The Sun). Beneatha, however, tries to avoid the box that African Americans are placed in by attending school and having aspirations of becoming a doctor. She uses Mama and Ruth as examples of what she doesn’t want to settle for and be. Beneatha’s character pulls in the issue of gender roles and feminism, two things that were big issues in the 50s.

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Social Issues In A Raisin In The Sun

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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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Theme Of Feminism In A Raisin In The Sun

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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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A Raisin In The Sun Sexism Analysis

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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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In Act 1, Beneatha’s quest to find her personal identity is seen in the way she expresses herself, her ambitions, her roots and the way she deviates from what is acceptable in her family. She tries to find ways to express herself such as trying different hobbies. In the past, Beneatha has been a part of a play-acting group, horseback-riding club, and in Act 1 starts guitar lessons (47). She also has the ambition to become a doctor which is looked down upon by her brother, Walter Lee (38). Additionally, her African roots are important to her search for identity.

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One line from her song reads, “The Lord will see us through someday; oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome someday.” This line sounds exactly like something Mama would say. She is a very religious lady who believes God has a plan for their lives. While encouraging Beneatha she says, “Course you going to be a doctor, honey, God willing” (50). Mama realizes that God is the one who really controls their lives, and in the end it comes down to whether he wants Beneatha to be a doctor or not.

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