Hyperboles In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

Eggs, Hyperboles, and Dreams Deferred Decades before oppression raised its heavy weight from African-Americans shoulders, Langston Hughes wrote, “Today like yesterday / Tomorrow like today / The drip, drip, drip, / Of monotony / Is wearing my life away;” (Hughes, 31) a sentiment that rang true in the hearts of many weary, beaten down souls across the nation. Shortly after the breath of true freedom found its way into the African-Americans of our country through perseverance and bravery, a young writer wrote A Raisin in the Sun chronicling the experiences of everyday life in an African-American home. The characters include Mama, a strong grandmother figure, Beneatha, a college student, Walter, a man searching for greatness, Ruth, his wife,

As Walter talks to his wife about his dreams, it quickly escalates into an argument where he describes how he feels trapped in his day to day routine, stating, “Man say; I got to change my life, I’m choking to death, baby! His woman say … Your eggs is getting cold!” (Hansberry, 33-34). He uses the exaggeration of choking to explain how he feels suffocated and dehumanized by his job that never seems to go anywhere. On the other side of the spectrum, Ruth replies curtly and coldly, “Eat your eggs, Walter.” (Hansberry, 34). This shows that she’d much rather have him settle than take big risks on new business ventures. Ruth would rather Walter settle for what he has, because in her eyes change puts every other member of the family at risk. His dreams are flickers of a flame best stomped out quickly before it has time to consume them all. Consequently, while Walter feels suffocated by the normalcy and routine of his life, Ruth takes it as it is, never trying for anything more unless the opportunity presents itself to her in the best of circumstances. Essentially, Walter sees risks as a side effect of change for something greater and Ruth sees it as the snake in the

In short, Walter feels trapped by the monotony of his life and his inability to provide for his family properly. He dreams of something more, something bigger and better, but constantly finds himself shot down by Ruth who would rather settle than take risks; even for a better end result. Ruth consistently supports him in a predictable and repetitive way, but never truly listens to what he has to say or his ideas. She pushes his dreams aside and encourages him to settle for the here and now and not to look to the future for the fortune and change he desperately craves. Their personalities and worldviews are inherently different and they never quite see eye to eye. Walter is full of ambition and passion, while Ruth remains stationary and follows the routine that has yet to fail her. Thus, while the drip, drip, drip of monotony wears away at Walter to his very core and he searches for cover wherever he can find it, Ruth silently embraces it, opting to turn her face