The Raisin In The Sun Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Families and Math Equations It is a simple math equation. Walter plus Beneatha plus Mama equals six cents, three dreams, and many of calls for recognition. Lorraine Hansberry the author of A Raisin in the Sun knows this is an equation that is greatly capable of fabricating a dramatic and page turning story, so she did. A little insight into this story explains this simply complex equation.

The play, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is written based off of her experiences with her family and her struggles with discrimination. The play takes place in the Southside of Chicago between WW II (1939) and the 1950’s. The play is about an African American family, the Youngers, and their efforts in a world of discrimination. The play’s plot is most influenced by the actions, conflicts and dialogue of Mama and her son Walter as they differ on opinions and decisions. Mama is of great importance in the development of the plot.

Stephen King, a famous writer once said, “Books and movies are like apples and oranges. They are both fruit, but they taste completely different.” Truly, this applies to all movies and books. This quote is effective describing the novel and the movie, A Raisin in the Sun. Although the two share similar scenes and acts, the movie shows a lot more details which make it better.

React: The opening of scene one struck me as extremely peculiar. Beneatha had never been so interested in Nigeria, but the moment Asagai explained his opinion on that Beneatha changed completely. She strikes me as an indecisive individual, and quite unsure of who she is as a person. It is also weird when Walter returns from bar hopping and joins in on the commotion Beneatha is making. It seems that for a small moment, Walter and Beneatha are bonding.

There are many different intentions and aspirations shown by each character’s own American Dream, but each lead into the same thing which is Happiness. Beneatha is a high class women who intends to be a medical doctor and considers herself an independent woman. On the other hand, Mama is just a humble and dignified individual who has very good morals and values that beliefs can change her family overall. She also wants her family to have a better quality of life. Joseph Asagai says, “Her speech is a mixture of many things; it is different from the rest of the family’s in so far as education has permeated her sense of English” (Hansberry 17).

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are”-e. e. Cumming. In the book A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry writes about a black family living in the 1950’s in Chicago. During this time there were many racist people. Beneatha Younger, an ambitious, resilient, selfish young woman treated like a child by her family.

Beneatha wants her brother to realize that he should stand up to the man. To say what Walter actually wants to say not what he wants the man to hear. She doesn't want him to take the money because this will give the man power over her brother which she doesn't want at all to happen. With this said the audience understands why she is angry at her brother, by the mistreatment they have to endure yet she begins to take it to far when she calls him names like “toothless rat” and questions his manhood. Some of the obstacles that she has are herself, and her family.

During the 1950’s, women undergo oppression in the grip of a patriarchal society and lack the encouragement of discovering their roots. Beneatha Younger challenges the social uniformity when she explores her family’s African heritage through the aid of Asagai. Although Joseph Asagai in Lorraine Hansberry's “A Raisin in the Sun” encourages Beneatha’s quest for cultural identity, he is decidedly less progressive on the issues concerning the relationship between men and women. Beneatha’s love interest Asagai is seemingly impeccable, a melange of sophistication and advanced contentions.

Beneatha’s Dream People have dreams to do or be what makes them happy by setting goals to reach their dream. Dreams are almost like goals that people create in their mind to try to motivate them self to achieve their dream. The American Dream is the idea that everyone who is a U.S. citizen should have an equal opportunity to be successful and benefit through their hard-work, determination, and initiative. In the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Beneatha Younger’s dream is to become a doctor and build a career/life for herself without anyone providing for her which connects to the American Dream through her independence, hard-work, and determination.

Walter Lee asked Ruth what was wrong with her because she was irritated and lashing out at Walter and Travis. Willy and Bobo are friends of Walter Lee. The two are also potential future business partners. Walter said, “Damn my eggs . . . damn all the eggs that ever was!”