A Raisin in the sun

1. A Raisin in the sun By: Loran Hansberry

2. Themes • The purpose and worth of dreams • The purpose of dreams gives a person something to strive for. One example is Benny wanting to be a doctor even though she is a woman and is African American - The fight against racial discrimination and women’s’ rights. • The family faces discrimination when they want to move into a house Mama bought in the white community, therefore needing to fight for equal rights for races. Also Benny wanted to become a doctor which was unheard of for an African American woman. • The importance family • It is important for family to stick together because your family should be there for you and love you no matter what situation you are in. For example Mama was there to support Ruth’s decisions in what ever she decides to do with the baby.

3. Character Growth And Maturation • For the most part of the book Walter Lee could be described as lazy, controlling, persistent, and arrogant. He acted as if he didn’t need to listen to his family. His dream was always put before anything else and he was dead set on getting the 10,000 dollars to go through with his plan. After he finally got money he gave it right away, his portion and the portion that was supposed to be put towards Bennies schooling. After Willy Harris took off, Walter planned to call and invite Carl Linder, the “welcoming committee”, back over to their current house in the projects, and tell him that they would sell the house back to them. • After explaining to his family what he was planning to say he stomped off to his room and hid away. When he saw how much he upset his family, he wanted to be a good example for his son, and he finally turned down Mr. Linder and told him to get out of the house that they would soon be moving out of. This showed signs of maturation, he learned to put his family before anything else, dreams are great things to have but if you take them too far they can really hurt those around you.

4. Internal Conflicts • Ruth found out that she was pregnant and decides to get an abortion, since they wouldn’t have enough money to support the baby or enough room.

5. External Conflicts • The Family wanted to move to a white neighborhood where they aren't wanted • Mr. Linder tries to encourage the family to stay away from Clybourne Park. • Lose the money

6. The American Dreams • Mama’s dream was to move out of the run down, small apartment that they are living in. • Ruth is expecting another child and that means even less room. • Mama wants to move into a house with a white picket fence, a garden, and a yard for Travis to run around in. • Her dream is accomplished when they move to Clybourne Park into the house of her dreams. • Walter’s dream is to open a liquor store and become wealthy. • Goes into a partnership with Bobo and Willy Harris • He gets some of the money from the insurance check. • Gives it to Willy Harris and he runs off. With him leaving goes the hope of Walter achieving his dream.

7. The idea of death • Death of the Grandfather affects the family. • The insurance money that the family inherited from the grandfather’s death helped the family achieve their dreams. They got to move out of their old apartment and into a new house.