Symbolism In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

In Lorraine Hansberry’s, A Raisin in the Sun, many hidden but touching meanings are portrayed through various objects, especially Mama’s plant, throughout the play. A Raisin in the Sun depicts a struggling African-American family, also known as the Younger family, coming together to fulfill their deceased relative’s dream. The deceased relative was Mr. Younger. His dream was to move his family into a much better house. Due to his passing away, the Youngers would receive an insurance check for $10,000. The head of the household, Mama, wanted to use the money to give the family what her husband wanted to give them, a new house. Her son, Walter Lee thought it would be a better idea to invest in a business. This business was a liquor store. He thought that this could help them out financially in the long run. However, Walter Lee’s wife agreed with Mama. She also wanted to fulfill Mr. Younger’s dream. Mama’s daughter, Beneatha, wanted to use the insurance money to pay for her medical school. Throughout the play, the Youngers fight about what to use the insurance money for. However, Mama goes and puts a down payment on a new house in Clybourne Park for the entire family. .

Mama is always hoping that the plant will pull through and survive. She feels the same way for her family. She hopes that they will be able to move into a new house with a garden and live a better life. “…Big Walter used to say, he’d get right wet in the eyes sometimes, lean his head back with the water standing in his eyes and say, ‘Seem like God didn’t see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams – but He did give us children to make them dreams seem worth while.’”(Act 1, Scene 1; 47). This proves that Mama wanted the best for her family. She wanted the best for her children just like her deceased husband did. Mama hoped that she could give her family the life they deserved. With hope and determination, Mama fulfilled her family’s