A Comparison Of Social Resistance In Rachel And A Raisin In The Sun
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Both Angelina Weld Grimke and Lorraine Hansberry play key roles in redefining Black theatre. This is done by utilizing means of social resistance and documenting cultural resilience in their works Rachel and A Raisin in the Sun. Though their writing styles differ in characterization plot, and intent, both women’s writings have played monumental parts in redefining Black theatre and the roles of Black women playwright in American theatre. The two plays portrayed stark contrasts of how African Americans internalized racism and means of coping with day to day trials and the way of the world during this time period. Though each play was created nearly 40 years apart, much of the same anguish African Americans experienced in 1920 when Rachel was written prevailed through to 1959 when Hansberry released A Raisin in the Sun. Angelina Weld Grimke’s Rachel tells a story of a young woman who was so horrified and overtaken by racism that she vowed to never bring children into the world. Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun depicts a Black family who is conflicted in which direction they should go after receiving a lump sum of money following the family patriarch’s death. The mother and sister would like to purchase a new home to fulfill the dream of deceased father and expand for future generations while the remaining siblings would like to invest in a liquor store and their tuition for medical school.
Lorraine Hansberry’s role in Black theatre is one of giving insight to