Character Analysis Of Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin In The...

In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha Younger is the highly motivated, opinionated daughter of Lena Younger. As a black woman attending college with intentions of becoming a doctor, she is a trailblazer character whose goals stand out among the rest. With such independent desires and arduous goals to meet, Beneatha does not dwell on her romantic life. Her focus lies in her future, not the boys who court her. Beneatha is more than willing to consider the possibility of being single her entire life, seemingly unbothered when she poses the idea (Hansberry, 739). Beneatha believes in her ability to succeed in medical school because of her positive attitude, analytical opinions and wholesome values. Hansberry writes Beneatha as†¦show more content†¦Beneatha is fiercely independent and this shows when Walter mentions that Mama should support her through college with the money from the check. Beneatha does not want the money, she believes that no one else is entitled to it but Mama herself. She fully intends to go through medical school on her own, without needing Mama’s check to do it. This independence comes from her reliance on family support throughout her youth, now rebelling against the need for help because of her own desire to be independent and support herself. Besides her independence, Beneatha’s family views her excitement and good spirit as impulsive. For Beneatha, she wishes to learn to play the guitar and experiment with her different interests because she is motivated and wants to feel fulfilled (Hansberry, 738). From Ruth and Mama’s perspectives, it is simply flighty. It is a new expense, a new hobby for her to join just in time for her grow tired of and quit. Mama and Ruth mention her photography, horseback-riding and theatre, proving that Beneatha has clearly invested in several hobbies. Mama acts resentful of this history. However, Beneatha’s flighty behavior is exclusive to her interests. In all other areas of her life, Beneatha is methodical and takes her time when making decisions. Beneatha is somewhat analytical in her emotions regarding George Murchison (Hansberry, 738). While she isShow MoreRelatedEssay on Dreams Deferred in Hansberrys A Raising in the Sun1902 Words   |  8 Pagesambitious students must sacrifice another facet of their lives in order to achieve their academic goals. In A Raisin in the Sun, many of the characters must give up something important to them to achieve their own idea of success. Everybody has his or her own dreams. Although some people may have homogeneous aspirations, no two are exactly the same. Hansberrys play, A Raisin in the Sun, reflects this concept by expressing that each character’s idea of the American Dream is distinct in its own wayRead MoreA Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry Essay1343 Words   |  6 PagesA Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is a play that displays housing discrimination in Chicago during the 1950s. Housing discrimination was partially an effect of the Great Migration. This was an event during the 1950s that resulted in about six million African Americans â€Å"migrating† from the south to the north, Midwest, and west regions of the United States. This caused the population of black people in major northern cities to increase rapidly. 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Through Walter’s quote, Hansberry’s screenplay challenges gender stereotypes through Walter and Beneatha while exploring Mama s domestic narrative; thes e three characters also underscore sexual oppression and the meaningRead MoreDreams Deferred in Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun736 Words   |  3 Pages Lorraine Hansberry’s classic play, A Raisin in the Sun, culls its title from the infamous poem â€Å"Dream Deferred† by Langston Hughes, and both works discuss what happens to a person when their dreams -- their hopes, their aspirations, their lives -- are endlessly put on hold. For this analysis of the dreams and character of Beneatha Younger in Raisin, I would like to pull on another dreamy poem of Langston Hughes’ entitled â€Å"Dream Boogie.† Like all the characters in the play, Beneatha has dreams thatRead MoreThe Matriarchs of the House in A Raisin in the Sun by Loraine Hansberry814 Words   |  3 PagesIn A Raisin in the Sun by Loraine Hansberry, the three strong-willed women of the story have varying opinions, views, and beliefs on life. The story is set in the Southside of Chicago, Illinois. The Younger’s are an African-American family that has struggled to survive financially for many years. With a large injection of money from Mr. Young er’s death, the family struggles to make a unanimous decision on what they will use the 10,000 dollars for. 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This is what we notice through the character of George Murchison who despite his belonging to a certain race, tried to behave like a member of another race because he didn’t have a great sense of Africanness Sometimes, because of the conception they have of other people, they would try toRead MoreComparing Themes of To Kill a Mockingbird and A Raisin in the Sun1962 Words   |  8 PagesTo Kill a Mockingbird and A Raisin in the Sun are books both written during a time of racial tension and inequality. Harper Lee and Lorraine Hansberry lived through the civil rights movement and saw the physical and verbal harassment against African Americans. This experience is evident in both works as the theme of fighting prejudice shines through. The goal of this paper is to compare and contrast the theme in both books and how it affected both of the families. Also, throughout the paper I willRead MoreCompare/Contrast Willy Loman (Death of a Salesman) and Walter Lee Younger (a Raisin in the Sun)2823 Words   |  12 Pagesthere are none. Characters Walter Lee Younger and Willy Loman are prime examples of this, both pinning their hopes on unattainable dreams to hide the feelings of failure. The theme o f illusion versus reality is present in both Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman through the portrayal of main characters Walter and Willy in their struggles for happiness and prosperity. Although the two characters have similar dreams, Walter, a dynamic character, breaks through