A Raisin In the Sun Hook: Imagine a small, struggling plant, desperate for sunlight, amidst the darkness of a cramped apartment. In ‘A Raisin in the Sun’, this plant becomes a powerful symbol of resilience, capturing the characters undevoted determination to overcome adversity and cultivate their dreams. Background Information: Lorraine Hansberry wrote the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun,’ which explores the life experiences of an African-American family living on the South side of Chicago during the 1950’s. The play explores themes of racism, dreams, and bravery. The plant symbol represents the hopes and challenges faced by the Younger family as they strive for a better future. (independence) T.A.G. A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry, Play Thesis Statement: …show more content…
Reference #1: The younger family is beginning to pack their things and Beneatha notices Mama trying to take something. She laughs at Mama and questions her on taking the plant to the new house. Mama tells Beneatha she is, “Fixing my plant so it won’t get hurt along the way.” (Hansberry 121), and that she will be taking it with her. Beneatha then insults Mama’s plant by calling it a ‘raggedy-looking old thing’, which Mama responds to with, “It expresses ME!” (Hansberry 121). Commentary #1: Here we can see Mama get defensive and protective of her plant because Beneatha doesn’t understand how Mama feels about it. Mama cares for the plant by watering it and trying to make sure it doesn’t get hurt during transportation. Beneatha refers to the plant as a ‘raggedy-looking old thing’, meaning that apart from Mama, the rest of the Younger family probably views the plant as useless and ugly. Mama looks past the plant's flaws because she knows how hard it is for the plant to get sunlight. Knowing that, Mama always tries to help her plant survive by nurturing it, just like she does with her