Identity is comprised of the qualities or beliefs that make a particular person or group different from others. It is a crucial factor in a person’s life because it allows him or her to stand out as an individual and helps the person develop a sense of well-being and importance. There are many aspects that can create someone’s identity whether it is by social class, culture, family, or faith. The biggest contributor to develop one’s identity is race. The literary pieces, Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, “Still I Rise,” by Maya Angelou, and “Primer for Blacks,” by Gwendolyn Brooks, display a variety of similarities of the importance of racial identity. Hansberry, Angelou, and Brooks believe that a person’s pride in his or her ethnicity
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They are all prone to wanting self-acceptance through their race. In Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry writes about the struggles that the Youngers face in finding their identity by showing the reader that African-Americans yearn for self-acceptance, specifically Beneatha. Over the course of the play, Beneatha wrestles with her identity, but quickly finds herself when she associates with her new Nigerian boyfriend, Asagai. He gives her a sense of comfort by calling her “Alaiyo,” (Hansberry 65) which means, “One for whom bread-food-is not enough.” Beneatha is touched by this nickname because it reveals that Asagai understands her. Asagai contains self-worth and fulfillment in his race, that it influences Beneatha to embrace her African-American heritage. As their relationship deepens, Beneatha wants to find new ways in which she can truly express herself. Despite her family’s criticism about her journey of self-expression, she remains determined to broaden her mind, even though it means distancing herself from them. What separates her from the rest of her family is her willingness to look beyond her immediate situation in an effort to understand who she really is. Beneatha refers to when they first met, she states, “Mr. Asagai-I want very much to talk with you. About Africa. You see, Mr. Asagai, I am looking for my identity,” (Hansberry 62). This statement portrays that Asagai’s confidence in his identity …show more content…
Throughout her writing, she voices the struggle of overcoming hardships. At the beginning of the poem, the speaker declares, “You may trod me in the very dirt, But still, like dust, I’ll rise” (Angelou, lines 3-4). Angelou uses this simile by comparing the situation of African-Americans being domineered by whites with “dust,” and that African-Americans will swirl up with resilience and continue to rise above. In Beats critical article, she describes how Angelou wins the audience over by praising the intrinsic qualities and strengths that make African-Americans invaluable as a complement to everyone (Betts). Throughout the poem, pride is the main theme. She has a lot of self-confidence, as she states, “Does my sassiness upset you? / Why are you beset with gloom? / ‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells, / pumping in my living room,” (Angelou, lines 4-8). The narrator uses a spiritual sound that expresses hope. As Angelou rises and becomes more confident in herself, so will the volume and power of the sound of her voice. These lines are electrifying and inspirational, which displays the theme of self-assurance. Angelou questions if white people are offended by her self-confidence in her African-American heritage. Additionally, Betts adds on in comparison,”She wants to know if anyone is annoyed with her self-acceptance of a wealthy oil tycoon,”
They are all prone to wanting self-acceptance through their race. In Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry writes about the struggles that the Youngers face in finding their identity by showing the reader that African-Americans yearn for self-acceptance, specifically Beneatha. Over the course of the play, Beneatha wrestles with her identity, but quickly finds herself when she associates with her new Nigerian boyfriend, Asagai. He gives her a sense of comfort by calling her “Alaiyo,” (Hansberry 65) which means, “One for whom bread-food-is not enough.” Beneatha is touched by this nickname because it reveals that Asagai understands her. Asagai contains self-worth and fulfillment in his race, that it influences Beneatha to embrace her African-American heritage. As their relationship deepens, Beneatha wants to find new ways in which she can truly express herself. Despite her family’s criticism about her journey of self-expression, she remains determined to broaden her mind, even though it means distancing herself from them. What separates her from the rest of her family is her willingness to look beyond her immediate situation in an effort to understand who she really is. Beneatha refers to when they first met, she states, “Mr. Asagai-I want very much to talk with you. About Africa. You see, Mr. Asagai, I am looking for my identity,” (Hansberry 62). This statement portrays that Asagai’s confidence in his identity …show more content…
Throughout her writing, she voices the struggle of overcoming hardships. At the beginning of the poem, the speaker declares, “You may trod me in the very dirt, But still, like dust, I’ll rise” (Angelou, lines 3-4). Angelou uses this simile by comparing the situation of African-Americans being domineered by whites with “dust,” and that African-Americans will swirl up with resilience and continue to rise above. In Beats critical article, she describes how Angelou wins the audience over by praising the intrinsic qualities and strengths that make African-Americans invaluable as a complement to everyone (Betts). Throughout the poem, pride is the main theme. She has a lot of self-confidence, as she states, “Does my sassiness upset you? / Why are you beset with gloom? / ‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells, / pumping in my living room,” (Angelou, lines 4-8). The narrator uses a spiritual sound that expresses hope. As Angelou rises and becomes more confident in herself, so will the volume and power of the sound of her voice. These lines are electrifying and inspirational, which displays the theme of self-assurance. Angelou questions if white people are offended by her self-confidence in her African-American heritage. Additionally, Betts adds on in comparison,”She wants to know if anyone is annoyed with her self-acceptance of a wealthy oil tycoon,”