How Does Hansberry Choose A Rat

139 Words1 Pages
This scene is symbolizes many issues related to social identity. Certainly, Hansberry’s choice of rats is unique in its own right. Although, it could have been a mouse, or a bird, but in choosing a “rat,” Hansberry identified an animal that is associated with dirtiness, poor living conditions, and that struggles to survive. As the play follows it is understood in the context that rats do no live in places with a large absorption white population. Additionally, Travis is chasing the rat with his friends. As Travis and the other children play with rat, we notice that the rat is “trapped” (Hansberry). This is symbolizes how the children were feeling respecting their identity and their social status as African American in the 1950’s. In other