Analysis of A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry - Essay Example

Shades of Gray A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, is one of the most influential plays written, that debuted on Broadway in the year 1959. It is based on the life of the Youngers, a family of an African-American descent, and is set in the post World War II era. This story has made a great impact on people all around the world mainly because it discusses the theme of apartheid and discrimination that the blacks were forced to feel during white colonization in America. During the 1960s especially, this story has had a major impact on people in America and abroad because of the stark nature within which a black family has been depicted trying to achieve their goals and dreams but being obstructed by the harsh white dominance that they are forced to live within – this has taught people about the conditions of those that were discriminated against, greatly. This book is a stark example of how an ordinary black family living in that period in America was restricted from accomplishing their dreams and goals. Therefore, Hansberry tries to explain how race and class make people discriminate and pit them against one another, despite understandin the feelings and emotions the other must be going through, and in this manner, influences people rather darkly. During the course of the film version of the play, one of the characters, Asagai says to another character, Benethea, “You came up to me and you said… ‘Mr. Asagai – I want very much to talk with you. About Africa. You see, Mr. Asagai, I am looking for my identity!’ ” Throughout the play, the various characters try their best to understand their identity, where they come from and what their purpose of life might be. However, they are stopped from finding out these things about themselves because of the whites that dominate them and treat them as mere slaves. Asagai is confused and wants to know why blacks are enslaved as well as treated differently than the whites. This helps the audience to understand how most blacks were (are) innocent, are just like other people, and are yet blamed for things they did not do; young children were treated like dirt and their dreams of a better tomorrow were obscured by the vision of working under white domination right from their childhood days. The play helps in people realising the harsh attitudes and emotions that black people were subject to without little or no fault of their own; they were blamed simply because of their darker skin colour and made to do menial jobs in order to sustain themselves. After watching the play, there have been many people that have commented on the treacherous manner in which blacks have been treated and how the system needs to change for their benefit. Every character within the play faces the the cultural impediments and impact of being subject to ridicule just for being a part of a different race. The mother of the family says, “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.” This dialogue is a perfect example of the kind of discrimination that was faced by each one of them. According to Alexander Laverty, writer of the African File, white supremacy during the 60s was prevalent to such an extent that the blacks were completely segregated in all spheres of all life. They were social recluses without any hope for reformation and racist laws at the time even demarcated different housing and shelter for black people making it difficult for African –Americans to leave the slum areas and even think of leading a better life. This play helps the audience to understand the level of disdain that people belonging to African American families, were living in during the times of the war. It has been an eye opener for all kinds of black people; women that were not given equal status within society and subject to living within the households as housewives, young men that were on the lookout for careers which were very bleak and the despair for just being able to do ordinary chores or run mundane minimum wage errands. Poverty was rampant and today, reform measures are rampant after having understood the plight of the black people, after all this time. Just like the book To Kill a Mockingbird this play has made a great bearing on people and helped to change their attitude towards blacks. Despite hating their homes and being dissatisfied with the alarming levels of poverty that persisted, black people have been able to adjust to society without so much as uttering a peep, as depicted within the play. After watching it, there have been people that have realized why it is worth fighting for their equal status in society and helping them live a dignified life. They are human beings as well and no man is superior to another – a lesson well taught by the plot of the story of the Youngers family. All the characters try to break break away from the discrimination that they are forced to live with in order to make something of themselves, far from maddening crowds. There are scenes that depict restlessness among the characters of the play which help the audience to understand the kind of trauma that discrimination causes on a daily basis. The family in the play is even scared to admit the reality to itself as they fear having to live in the ‘ghetto’ environment for the rest of their lives and never find a way to get out of the situation they were stuck in and the dominance of white ties that they were bound to. All over the world, people have successfully understood the kind of horrible conditions that black people were forced to live within; not just African-Americans but absolutely any race that did not have a white complexion was forced to live under the rule of white colonization. During the 1960s, this enraged a large number of people who began to take to revolutionary struggles in order to better their situations. From Rosa Parks to Mahatma Gandhi, people have been fighting to reduce the level of disparity created among people with different coloured skin. In conclusion, the Youngers family helps to depict just one of the many families at the time in America, living in an oppressed and frightened fashion, within their own territory. They never felt safe or secure and were treated like different species altogether and they helped people think about why one race of people were given the opportunity to rule over another despite having no extra powers or credentials, just a different skin colour. Just like them, there were thousands of people all over who needed some sort of miracle in order to help others understand their condition and bring an end to the conflict with the whites; something they could only achieve with familial unity, as depicted within this beautiful play. Works Cited Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Modern Library, 1995. Print. "A Raisin in the Sun on Broadway - Official Site." A Raisin in the Sun on Broadway. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. . Laverty, Alexander. Impact of Economic and Political Sanctions on Apartheid. The African File. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. . Read More