Literary Criticism In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

Literary Criticism (A Raisin In The Sun)

In Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin In The Sun”, the reader follows the life of the Youngers, a family struggling with financial issues and the inability to follow their dreams. However, with the promises of a ten-thousand dollar check in their name in regards to the death of Mama’s husband, Big Walter, the family finds hope in the possibility of a life better than before. One family member with especially high hopes, wishing to pursue a career as a doctor, is Beneatha Younger, Mama’s daughter. Despite much criticism regarding her role as a woman, Beneatha Younger stands against the status quo, striving higher for herself in this inspiring playwright, and showing the audience just how important strong female roles in literature are.

Beneatha, at the beginning of the play, already expresses her difference in opinion from the family’s when Walter mentions her getting married. Marriage, or men in general for that matter, is not an important topic for Beneatha. She doesn’t feel any need for it; her concern is about her own life. “”I know- because that’s what it says in all the novels that men write. But it isn’t. Go ahead and laugh- but I’m not interested in being someone’s little episode in America, or- one of them!”” (Hansberry 64). This is Beneatha claiming that she needs more than just

She represents the importance for women to be able to follow their personal dreams without having to rely on a husband, or any man, for that matter. She also inspires female readers to express themselves while they are on the path to finding themselves, discovering who they are and what makes them that way. Beneatha Younger is a strong female character who women of our time can connect to and understand; she’s a character who is inspiring, strong, and passionate, and will be recognized as