Lorraine Hansberry in ” A Raisin in the Sun Play” portrays the life struggles of an African-America family living on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s. At the start of this play, money is the central point of each one's conversation leading to arguments and creating a mood of disagreement. Mama (Lena Younger), the mother of the family is eagerly waiting for a $10,000 insurance check from the death of his husband, but there is a conflict of interests among the members of the family about spending the money. The son, Walter Lee wants to invest the entire sum in a liquor store with friends, but Mama objects it mainly for ethical reasons. When his mother decides to use part of the money as a deposit on a house in white house neighborhood their conflict with her son escalates. Beneatha, the daughter of Lena Younger wants the money her medical tuition. Each member of the family wants to chase his/her dream throughout the play.
Back in the 1950s, the economic status of most blacks was poor, and most had jobs in the service sector. Walter Lee was a chauffeur and Mama, and Ruth did house cleaning to make ends meet. The comparable difference between now and 1950s is that back in time the blacks had limited jobs as compared to today where everyone can have a healthy paying job no matter the race. In the 1950s, the society viewed the African race differently compared to now. This was because of the difference in skin color between the Americans and the Africans Americans. The play reflects the real lives experienced by the Youngers African family. The Clybourne Park, the white neighborhood where the Youngers family wanted to relocate to was a white place and did not want any Africans living in the neighborhood. This shows the segregation lifestyles during that time. Mr. Lindser is sent by the governing body to persuade the Youngers family not to move in the all-white Clybourne Park neighborhood. Despite the realization of the family dream to relocate to the new house, the reality of the play about black homes being bombed in the newspaper, attack of the back families mentioned by Mrs. Johnson and the crudeness of the new neighborhood’s welcoming committee promised that their struggle is far from over. Walter Lee, the son of Lena Younger, wishes to have more money to live a better life, which was not granted to the African American during that time. It showed the desire of those in poverty. The Younger family is a victim of discrimination.
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During this time, it was given to be segregated, and abortion was illegal. In the play, Ruth goes through a process of aborting her child that brings a top of abortion that was considered illegal. Lorraine portrays Asagai as an image of culture in this play. Asagai gifts Beneatha Nigerian robes, and although afforded with Western Education his beliefs are grounded on the African culture that was as of 1959. He was really old fashion. By using a realistic way of writing, Lorraine Hansberry has made the American and African American to relate to the play. The author deals with racism and discrimination in this play while maintaining a story about a family in poverty and race aside, struggling about in poverty. "Raisin in the sun" play has played a significant role in the American society.
Basing on the past struggle of African American discrimination by the white American, the society is now enlightened, and both black and white Americans are treated equally. Currently, there are unlimited opportunities to everyone irrespective of race and color. Individuals are employed based on their qualification as compared to the past where Africans American had limited access to job opportunities. The play also makes the society to understand the value of dreams. Mama Lena Younger had a dream of getting a house, Walter Lee had a dream of running a liquor store, and Beneatha had a dream of being a doctor. The play also has a teaching on the importance of the family. Youngers family in spite of poverty and different dreams they remain together and prioritize to move to a new home as a family. The society is needed to impress its culture no matter the environment and culture as shown by Asagai.
In conclusion, Lorraine Hansberry play explores the African America identity, racial challenges in the past and tries to revolutionize every aspect of injustices and discrimination the African America passed through. Involving the black experience within the play forced a redefinition that opened the term universality to include the minority African American voice.
References
Hansberry, L. (1984). Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun . Samuel French, Inc...
