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Symbolism In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

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Symbolism plays a major role in a variety of ways. From a person’s death to a life of hope. The Younger family lives in poverty and each character relies on certain items. In A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry expresses symbolism through the characters using a single plant and money. Throughout the play, Hansberry makes many references to plants, mainly revolving around Mama and how it is symbolic to her and the Younger family. In Act 1, Mama says “They spirited all right my children… Like this old plant that ain't never had enough sunshine or nothing - and look at it” (Hansberry 22). In the Younger household, there was only one window in which the plant was placed. This caused the plant to have a bit of sunshine to grow and survive. …show more content…

Mama’s outlook on money is “... to buy freedom…” (Cheney). She sees it as an opportunity to escape poverty. When she receives the check, she goes out to buy a house for herself and her family. She does it knowing it is located in a white neighborhood. She wants to be able to break down the racial barriers that have divided everyone up. Knowing there will still be limits, she is willing to work through the challenges to provide a better life for her family. On the other hand, Walter wants what money can bring him “… as a means of acquiring education, decent housing, human dignity…” (Cheney). Walter is a chauffeur for a rich white man. He envies him because he sees how much joy, opportunities, and success money can bring someone. Wanting to open his liquor store, hoping it could bring him the same thing. He also sees it as an opportunity for his son Travis to be in a better school and have more opportunities than he had. After Mama gave him money, Walter and Travis started talking about how his life will be better and how he should not be worried about his future. He believes money can buy happiness but does not see how it can tear it down as well. Walter also wants the social position, “I want to hang some real pearls ‘round my wife's neck… Somebody tell me - tell me, who decides which women are supposed to wear pearls in the world” (Hansberry 87). He wants to give his wife pearls,

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