Raisin in the sun poem. Dreams Theme in A Raisin in the Sun 2022-10-21

Raisin in the sun poem Rating: 6,5/10 1705 reviews

Lorraine Hansberry's play "A Raisin in the Sun" explores the struggles of an African American family living in Chicago in the 1950s as they try to achieve their dreams and overcome the racial prejudice they face. One of the central themes of the play is the idea of "the American Dream," which is the belief that through hard work and determination, anyone can achieve success and prosperity.

In the play, the main character, Walter Lee Younger, is a young man who is deeply frustrated by the limited opportunities available to him because of his race. He dreams of making a better life for himself and his family, and is desperate to find a way to do so.

One of the most poignant moments in the play comes when Walter Lee recites a poem called "A Dream Deferred," which speaks to the frustration and disappointment that he and other African Americans feel when their dreams are put on hold or denied because of the color of their skin.

The poem, which was written by Langston Hughes, asks the question: "What happens to a dream deferred?" and goes on to list a series of possible outcomes: "Does it dry up/ like a raisin in the sun?" "Or fester like a sore—/ And then run?" "Does it stink like rotten meat?/ Or crust and sugar over—/ like a syrupy sweet?"

Each of these images speaks to the way in which a dream that is denied or postponed can rot and decay, becoming something that is no longer viable or desirable. The poem suggests that if a dream is not pursued or fulfilled, it can become a source of pain and frustration that eats away at the person who holds it.

In the play, Walter Lee's dream is to own a liquor store, which he believes will provide him with the financial security and independence he desires. However, he is constantly thwarted in his efforts to achieve this dream, and as the play progresses, it becomes clear that he is losing hope of ever realizing it.

Through the poem "A Dream Deferred," Hughes and Hansberry capture the emotion and longing that Walter Lee and other African Americans feel as they struggle to overcome the barriers that stand in the way of their dreams. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity, and the need to keep fighting for one's dreams no matter how difficult the journey may be. So, "A Raisin in the Sun" is a powerful and thought-provoking play that explores the struggles and triumphs of an African American family as they pursue their dreams in the face of overwhelming obstacles.

Dreams Theme in A Raisin in the Sun

raisin in the sun poem

And finally, "raisin in the sun" has also been used as an expression of hope. The universal message of the desire for social development, despite various ideas on how to achieve it, lies at the heart of Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun. Walter Younger is a racist, sexist, selfish, dissatisfied man in his thirties who lives in a small two-bedroom apartment with the rest of his family. He becomes all excited and was supposed to save some for himself and put the rest of the money to Beneatha 's education. He enters the play with a false sense of pride in being a man, despite the fact that he is a chauffeur who is struggling to support his family. A Raisin in the Sun Poem What happens to a dream deferred? Like Mama, Ruth clings to the dream of a home, which generates conflict with her husband, Walter Lee, who dreams of becoming a self-sufficient business owner.

Next

What Does the Poem "A Raisin in the Sun" Mean?

raisin in the sun poem

The phrase "like a raisin in the sun" comes from the Bible Isaiah 7:14. A Raisin In The Sun Analysis 809 Words 4 Pages A Raisin in the Sun Money is one of the things in the world that a person can become obsessed with. This idea is expressed in the famous line "A raisin is one thing, but a sun-dried raisin is another. Hughes is demonstrating that dreams may be unpleasant. By proposing marriage and inviting her to join him in Nigeria, Asagai extends her the opportunity to incorporate a new dream into her life, showcasing how people and their goals can evolve over time. Still others may be deferred across generations, obtained after years of struggle and toil. T Anderson 934 Words 4 Pages.

Next

A Raisin in the Sun: Play, Themes & Summary

raisin in the sun poem

She writes about how blacks were treated badly in America, especially after slavery. The central struggles for the younger family in their search for the American dream is mostly poverty and being racially profiled against for their actions. But dreaming allows them to forget about their troubles for a little while so that when they wake up, they are more likely to be able to deal with them. In the poem, Hansberry uses poetry to express herself. . White seeded raisins are thought of as luxury items, while black seeded ones are considered common or working class.

Next

A Raisin in the Sun Poem (and Play Analysis By Lorraine Hansberry)

raisin in the sun poem

The phrase comes from a popular medieval French poem called The Romance of the Rose by Jean de Meung. One of her earliest works is called We Can't Go Home Again. Furthermore, the phrase "raisin in the sun" has become a metaphor for anything left until the last minute. Hansberry wanted to address the issue of discrimination against black Americans in her play. The title of the play is derived straight from a passage in Langston Hughes' poem on postponed hopes, and the epigraph presents a question that the play seeks to answer.

Next

What Is the Meaning of "A Raisin in the Sun"?

raisin in the sun poem

Because of their shared racial heritage and status as writers of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes and Hansberry may connect to one another. The poem focuses on the reality that African Americans have been unable to realize their aspirations or make their life plans due to racial injustice. By introducing Beneatha to elements of her African background, he aids her in her quest for identification. Although he comes from a poor family, Walter has always believed in education for blacks and has decided to use his future career to help improve their living conditions. One correlation however stands out from the rest. And his woman say — Your eggs is getting cold! Raising grapes and making wine was once quite an important part of American history.

Next

A Raisin In The Sun: Poem Analysis

raisin in the sun poem

The show has been called everything from a "modern day fable" to "a social comment on racism in America. Compared to the state of the family at the opening of the play, most considered that play ends on a joyous moment. These incidents perhaps prepared the way for a play written by successful African American author Lorraine Hansberry. A widow, Lena, her son Walter Younger, his wife Ruth and daughter Beneatha all lived under the same roof. A raisin is a dried grape that has been exposed to the sun. That I been doing to you what the rest of the world been doing to you.

Next

A Raisin in the Sun Analysis

raisin in the sun poem

Langston Hughes utilizes a comparison in his poem "Harlem": "Does it dry out, like a raisin in the sun? He believes that dreaming is useful because it gives people something to do instead of just sitting around and thinking about the problems in their lives. The author, Lorraine Hansberry, puts in different characters to help display these themes and the correlation between money and how it affects people. Why do you think a raisin is used as a simile for dreams? Lorraine Hansberry was a celebrated American dramatist and civil rights activist. What does "Raisin in the Sun" symbolize? Studies from Yale, The New York Times, TED and more have concluded, money changes everything. This exchange also represents one of the major differences between Asagai and George Murchison.

Next

raisin in the sun poem

Her motive for everything she does, including purchasing the home and providing the remaining funds to Walter, is her family. What do you think a raisin in the sun will be about? The way the play ends is not a happy ending because the Younger family does not have the funds that they need, two people are further from their dreams, and they are moving into a neighborhood to could be dangerous for them. They believe that if they can just get to the end of their rope, then they'll be able to pull themselves out of poverty. This is fitting as it corresponds with the most evil thing done in the play. Or does it explode? A Raisin In The Sun Pride Analysis 1414 Words 6 Pages A Raisin in the Sun To be prideful is human nature, even when it hasn't been earned. This kind of pride is shown in the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry through the character Walter Younger. During one of his visits home, Walter meets with some friends who are also interested in law school.

Next