A Raisin Sun Analysis - Book Report/Review Example

A RAISIN SUN A Raisin Sun is a book written by Lorraine Hansberry. This book's title is inspired by Harlem which was a poem written by Langston Hughes. The story revolves around the life experience of a black family who dwelled in the neighborhood of Chicago's woodland. The theme behind this novel was the oppression faced by the black Americans during that time. The theme is about misconception, struggle and miscommunication. The story revolves around four main characters namely Walter and Ruth younger their mother Lean and sister Beneatha. The play was about the transformation which Walter wanted to experience, the road he wanted to pave from poverty to wealth. Although his wife was content with the limited income they had despite that Walter had this urge within to become rich and emerge out of the poverty that surrounded them. For this he was willing to give up on driving and invest whatever he and his family possessed on a liquor store. For that he thought that his mother would give him the money she had. Lean who was an orthodox and had reservations against giving her savings for a liquor store refused. The turn over comes in their life when they plan to shift to a white neighborhood because of its cheap rents. Later they realize that they cannot live in peace because of the racial disparity prevailing therefore they need to move out if that neighborhood. A white offered to buy them out. Initially Walter agreed to buy the deal but with his later experiences made him realize that he should be happy with his identity and not give up on his roots. Furthermore the role of Beneatha is very important. She is influenced by the company of two black men having distinct characteristics. The first is George who is Beneatha's rich boyfriend, although he is black but he is ashamed of his identity whereas Joseph is also a black American from Africa who really loves his existences and tries to educate Beneatha about the rich heritage she belongs too. Later she gets so influenced by Joseph gaining pride in her existence so much that she plans to spend the rest of her life with him. Here I would like to discuss the role of Walter and Ruth. Ruth is a devoted contended wife who supports her husband during all his endeavors and is satisfied with whatever he has be it more or less. On the contrary Walter is totally the opposite and has the greed inside him which provokes him to try to eliminate his poverty. He gives up on his mother's money so that he could start a liquor store. There are many moments which clearly depict that Walter is made up of greed. He also shows that he is not proud of his existence or his background. I order to pursue his American dream he uses people, works hard but eventually realizes that they should be proud of what they are and be good neighbors. "Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people – then go be a nurse like other women – or just get married and be quiet." (Hanberry, 1.1.125) This shows that Walter had male chauvinist instincts, he considered women to be inferior and always thought of them as un equal to men. Lean is a devoted mother; she is traditional and shows affiliation with religion. She really loves her children and wants to do all she can for their happiness and joy. When Walter asks her for money she gives it although she has reservations with the investment. She even cares about the welfare of Beneatha therefore she gives her money to Walter under a condition that he would reserve a sum of money for her educational expense. Unlike many Americans Lean has a very simple dream to live respectably and let live others in peace. Apart from that she also seeks to lead a content family life. Thus "a woman who has adjusted to many things in life and overcome many more, her face is full of strength. She has, we can see, wit and faith of a kind that keeps her eyes lit and full of interest and expectancy. She is, in a word, a beautiful woman. Her bearing is perhaps most like the noble bearing of the women of the Herero's of Southwest Africa - rather as if she imagines that as she walks she still bears a basket or a vessel upon her head." (Hansberry, 1.1.17) This quote determines the divinity of Lean, the love she possessed for her children and the nobility she had. Beneatha is also a very important character having a steadfast, bold and sensible image. Although she has some issues with her black identity and tends to depict those reservation at various times. "Get over it? What are you talking about, Ruth? Listen, I’m going to be a doctor, not worried about who I'm going to marry yet – if I ever get married. "(Hansberry, 1.1.268) In this quote Beneatha clears that she is not bound to gender stereotype. She supports her mother and helps her to make her decisions and stand by them firmly. The turning point comes in her life when she has to choose between George and Joseph who are two very different men having very different ideologies. Beneatha acts sensible and chooses Joseph because of the sensibility he had. Joseph was a man who was proud of his existence and black identity, he made sure that Bemeatha was also aware of her past and her African roots therefore he brought about a positive change in her. Thus in a nutshell 'A Raisin Sun' is a very good book that deals with the importance of black Americans and seeks to make them proud of their existence. This book is an amalgamation of various different characters that together paint a very pretty picture. Works cited: Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage Books, 1994. Print. Read More