Lorraine Hansberry was inspired to write the play “A Raisin in the Sun” not only because of her own real life experience, but also because of a poem she read by Langston Hughes. This play was first presented in 1959 and shows many of the problems and issues that divided American society. During this time period, social issues of African Americans were the main factor, and throughout this play it is very obvious that the Youngers’ are facing many of them. Racism is certainly the biggest social issue confronted during the play, and one of the main problems throughout America at this time. African Americans were treated very poorly because they were seen as being inferior to due to decades of prejudice white people. Another big social issue the
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The issue of racism played a major part in the play, “A Raisin in the Sun.” After receiving the money from Big Walter’s passing, Mama purchased a house in Clybourne Park, which was an all white community. When Mama was asked why she bought a house in a white neighborhood she said, “Them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. I did the best I could” (Hansberry 1493). Even though the location of the house was not exactly where they would of liked it to be the family was just happy to be able to get out of the “rat trap” they were living in (Hansberry 1469). Mr. Linder who is representing the Clybourne Park neighborhood makes a visit to the Youngers’ home in order to give the Younger family a generous offer to keep them from moving there. While trying to talk to the family and change their minds Mr. Linder says, “Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities” (Hansberry 1502). It is very obvious that Mr. Linder is doing everything he can in order to try and convince the Youngers’ from moving into the white neighborhood, but nothing worked as the Youngers’ end up moving at the end of the play. African Americans must demand their rights and …show more content…
In the play “A Raisin in the Sun,” Walter was a chauffeur, while Mama and Ruth were domestic workers. For African American families who were poor and did not have much of an education those were the main jobs one could have. Lorraine Hansberry once said, “I was born black and female,” by rejecting the limits placed on her race and gender, Hansberry employed her writings to investigate what it meant to be a black woman during this time in America (Ghani). Beneatha has this same mind set and wants to make something of her life by earning a college education in order to become a doctor. She does not want to waste her life doing the same things that Mama and Ruth do. Beneatha was not going to let the fact that she was an African American women get in her way. She had big dreams of becoming a doctor, but because of her race and gender this career was going to be a struggle she was willing to take in order to succeed. Due to the race and gender role women during this time period were considered “housewives,” which meant they were to cook, clean, and take care of the kids. Although during this time period many women were forced to stay at home and work Beneatha did not want to be like everyone else. She wanted to show that women especially African Americans are capable of doing more than just housework
The issue of racism played a major part in the play, “A Raisin in the Sun.” After receiving the money from Big Walter’s passing, Mama purchased a house in Clybourne Park, which was an all white community. When Mama was asked why she bought a house in a white neighborhood she said, “Them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. I did the best I could” (Hansberry 1493). Even though the location of the house was not exactly where they would of liked it to be the family was just happy to be able to get out of the “rat trap” they were living in (Hansberry 1469). Mr. Linder who is representing the Clybourne Park neighborhood makes a visit to the Youngers’ home in order to give the Younger family a generous offer to keep them from moving there. While trying to talk to the family and change their minds Mr. Linder says, “Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities” (Hansberry 1502). It is very obvious that Mr. Linder is doing everything he can in order to try and convince the Youngers’ from moving into the white neighborhood, but nothing worked as the Youngers’ end up moving at the end of the play. African Americans must demand their rights and …show more content…
In the play “A Raisin in the Sun,” Walter was a chauffeur, while Mama and Ruth were domestic workers. For African American families who were poor and did not have much of an education those were the main jobs one could have. Lorraine Hansberry once said, “I was born black and female,” by rejecting the limits placed on her race and gender, Hansberry employed her writings to investigate what it meant to be a black woman during this time in America (Ghani). Beneatha has this same mind set and wants to make something of her life by earning a college education in order to become a doctor. She does not want to waste her life doing the same things that Mama and Ruth do. Beneatha was not going to let the fact that she was an African American women get in her way. She had big dreams of becoming a doctor, but because of her race and gender this career was going to be a struggle she was willing to take in order to succeed. Due to the race and gender role women during this time period were considered “housewives,” which meant they were to cook, clean, and take care of the kids. Although during this time period many women were forced to stay at home and work Beneatha did not want to be like everyone else. She wanted to show that women especially African Americans are capable of doing more than just housework