Rising in the sun
A Raisin sun is a play entailing an African-American family life existing on the Southside of Chicago. The central theme talks about problems and the difficulty of following one’s dream. Authors today use their work to outline and pass information through the use of various stylistic devices, which perfectly enhance the themes and knowledge portrayed in work. A raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is not an exemption to this since it has widely used different styles and issues in addressing and promoting the plot of the story. Therefore, this essay will focus on stylistic devices used, including symbolism, conflicts, and used theme in the play.
Theme
The theme of the dream is widely used in the play Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. Whereby Mama dreams of allocating her family from their current household to the right and better house with a big yard where the children will be playing while she is attending her garden. Moreover, Ruth’s dream of her aspiring to build a happy family is similar to Mama’s idea, where she believes that buying a better and more prominent place for the family to live, is another step. Additionally, Beneatha dreams of becoming a doctor, intending to save her race from ignorance. Due to society’s belief that women are to focus on building homes instead of building their careers. However, Walter too dreams of being a rich father who will provide for his family like the wealthy people he drives do to their families.
The theme of dream mainly revolves along with the protagonist’s life, Walter, who frames his vision concerning his family, where he dreams of providing and giving the family what he has never been able to offer. Precisely the ambitions he has upon his family take him over whereby, he foolishly spends money in crazy ways due to his attitude of money-hunger instead of carrying out the activities that Mama intended him to do. Therefore, Mama is caused to offer him the lasting $6,500 of the coverage money. Her advice to Walter is to pay $3,000 as education money for Beneatha’s. Walter is then entitled and supposed to remain with $3,500, where Mama tells Walter to act as the head of the family with the remaining money, where he becomes much energized and confident. He decides and tells Travis that he will make transactions, which will bring fortune to the family and become wealthy. All these excitements build up as he talks of how his future dream cars and house.
Symbolism
The play Raisin in the sun entails numerous symbols, but the primary analogy is Mama’s plant. Mama is so much devoted to her plant, which symbolizes her care and dreams for her family. The feeble and olden plant struggles for its survival, where it relocates to the new house with the company of Youngers. This plant struggle symbolizes Mama’s effort to survive under the strains life in Chicago. Mama’s initial appearance on stage is seen approaching directly towards the plant and confesses of how the plant lacks enough water and light, though happy for its spreads beneath her care. Symbolically, the concern she has for the flower is equal to that of her children, despite the limited and unfavorable condition for plant survival. More so, the plant represents the garden and yard she dreams of having, together with house ownership, whereby her success, persistence, and dedication make her strongly believe that she will be successful.
Conflict
Instances of conflicts in the play give comprehension as to what the characters want in life and who they are. Therefore the social-economic battle is the major one defining these characters and their view in life. The social-economic conflict revolves around the entire Younger family due to a lack of money in facilitating and accomplishing their dreams. For instance, Walter is much opposed to his sister’s education, bearing in mind that he can use the money to fund his dream since he is not contented with his job and trapped as a driver, where he hates the job and seeks to nature his dream of opening up a liquor store. More so, Ruth’s position as a domestic helper is not sufficient in caring for her family, where she is trapped in thoughts of aborting her pregnancy. Simply because of social-economic conflict where she believes that she will be protecting her family from extra strains and pressure. Moreover, Travis conflicts himself and feels economic pinch well seen in the opening of the scene. He enquires for school money, but the money from Mama dominates the feeling and belief that it will alleviate some of their economic problems.
Conclusion
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry has utilized all aspects of a qualified play while portraying the intended message to the people. Moreover, through proper utilization of themes and styles, we can see how people struggle while trying to fulfill their expectations and dreams. However, the Younger family faces a money crisis, making everyone develop an ambition of changing family status.