The Importance of Exchanging Respect The people can pick up a relatable and compared desire if they read A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry or listen to Aretha Franklin’s song, “Respect.” A little respect can go a long way. Anyone who has experienced respect knows that feeling of love and appreciation it brings. The book and song both demonstrate the importance of respecting and supporting the people close to us.
Beginning with the respect from a standpoint of intellect and individuality is the character of Beneatha. Beneatha wants to be able to chase her dream of becoming a doctor free from family disapproval and discouragement. In a conversation between Beneatha and her brother, Walter, he states, “I’m interested in you. Something
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The only one in the family who actually seems to have ever encouraged Beneatha through all of this is Mama. Another example is when Beneatha changes up her appearance. George, Beneatha’s guy friend, starts off the conversation by gasping, “what in the name of. . .what have you done to your head--I mean your hair”(Hansberry 80). Everyone in the room thinks that Beneatha’s choice to cut her hair short is ridiculous. If there was any family respect for Beneatha, that respect level has just dropped lower. She just desires to be able to make her own decisions without being ridiculed by her own family. Next, the reader can recognize which guy would suit Beneatha best. On Beneatha’s last date with George, he says, “I don’t like it. You’re a nice-looking girl . . . all over. That’s all you need, honey”(Hansberry 96). From this date, the reader sees that George could care less about Beneatha’s feelings, emotions, and words. All George wants is her image and beauty. This is no respect that Beneatha deserves. On the other hand, the reader was also introduced to her other guy friend, Asagai. Asagai is a …show more content…
Walter wishes for approval and trust. Beginning with his friends, Ruth has not respected Walter’s friend choices throughout the play. Willie and Bobo are the friends; they all share the same dream. Walter asks his mother for financial support to help him chase his dream of opening up a local liquor store with his buddies. Mama puts her foot down by saying, “I don’t ‘low no yellin’ in this house, Walter Lee. . .there ain’t going to be no investing in no liquor stores”(Hansberry 70). Yes, this was her husband’s death benefit, but she could have treated Walter with more respect. He is a grown man in charge of a family. Additionally, Walter has providing for her his sister Beneatha and his Mama. Mama needs to quit babying her son and start guiding and trusting him. Walter would love that. Yes, Walter was stolen from when given 6,500 dollars, but he had no clue that he was going to get robbed. The white neighborhood could have easily ripped off and stole money from Mama. Walter is truly defeated from this robbery. His vision was focused on providing a better income for his family through opening up the liquor store. Aretha Franklin understands Walter’s feelings when she sings, “I ain 't gonna do you wrong while you 're gone,” in her song “Respect.” Walter does not intend to harm the families’ lives by taking charge of the money to open up a small business. Being in