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Racial Conflict In A Raisin In The Sun

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Racial Conflict : A Raisin in the Sun’s Racist Attitudes In scene 3 of act 2 of A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry uses dialogue, foreshadowing, and mood to develop the characters and reveal the central racial conflict in the book. The instant that Mr. Lindner walks in, he is greeted kindly, but after Mr. Lindner mentions the “special community problems,” the stage directions indicate a mood change in the scene. Hansberry sours the mood using stage directions that tell us the characters’ reactions such as when Mr. Lindner “looks elsewhere” (115) He displays awkwardness through his body language and his tone displayed while talking with the youngers. When Mr. Lindner is talking, Beneatha, “Frowns slightly, quizzically, her head tilted regarding him” (117). The family is completely …show more content…

Then, Hansberry crafts a moment that foreshadows the recurring conflict that will emerge between the Youngers, and the white people of that community, and remind the audience of the racism that was in the United States during this time. Mama wants to move into that house, and the audience knows that they will move into the new house: “Walter pushes the door with stinging hatred, and stands looking at it. Ruth just sits and Beneatha just stands. They say nothing” (119). The Youngers have came to realize they are unwanted in CLybourne Park, even that their their lives may be threatened by moving in that community. Mr. Lindner actually gives in to the Youngers, but warns them of what may happen. Mr. Linder’s closing sentence of the scene serves as a warning to the Youngers, foreshadows his return, and highlights the harshness of the white community. As the scene closes, Hansberry lets Mr. Lindner end the scene, allowing him to say the sentence that would leave the audience glaring: “(Almost sadly regarding Walter) You just can’t force people to change their hearts, son” (119) This scene dramatizes the play, and

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