Themes in A Raisin In The Sun Essay

Theme Essay

A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, depicts the lives and struggles of an African American family living in a poor part of Chicago during the late 1950s. These struggles include racial discrimination, lack of money and difficult living arrangements. Many themes are evident throughout this story, and are shown through the Younger familys struggles. However, one theme stands out throughout the entire novel. The Younger familys actions show that they believe that despite poor living conditions, hope can still be found. Certain items in the story that seem irreverent, symbolize hope. These items are the small window in the living room of their small apartment, and Mamas plant. Mama, the grandmother of the family, is the most hopeful and helps to hold the family together.

In A Raisin in the Sun, some objects throughout the book symbolize hope. One thing that symbolizes hope in the book is the one window in the apartment. The apartment is described as being dark, small and depressing. The once stylish furniture is now worn and torn, despite the efforts of the family to cover the rips. The only natural light that brightens the whole apartment shines through a small window in the living room. This symbolizes hope because although the small, dark room is depressing, the light shows that not everything is so bad. It shows that even if it feels as though you are in the dark and cannot find your way out, there is always a way out. In a way, the light shinning through the window also serves as a light at the end of the tunnel. This is important for the family because it shows that they will eventually be able to have good living conditions.

Another thing that symbolizes hope in A Raisin in the Sun is Mamas plant. Mama has a plant that she has been growing for a while. It is healthy and when Mama and her family moves to Clybourne Park she takes the plant with her. When the Younger family moves into this all white neighborhood, the neighbors are not happy. They make it clear that a black family is not welcome, and the welcoming committee tries to buy the house back from the family. This upsets the Youngers because it makes it seem as though they wont be able to live a peaceful life in this neighborhood and will never be accepted in the community. During the move, Mama brings her plant along. The plant is healthy and flourishing even after the move. This shows hope that if the little plant can survive in this unfamiliar setting, then their family will be able to adapt to living here. It also gives them hope that they will have a better life here and better conditions in which to raise Travis.

Throughout the book, hope is demonstrated through various symbolic objects, but also through characters. The most hopeful character in the book is Mama. Despite loosing her husband, and having to constantly worry about her family, she is still upbeat. She also always tries to make the best out of things. Another way that Mama shows hope is that she sees the best in people. For example, Well-son, Im waiting to hear you say somethingIm waiting to hear you be your fathers son. Be the man he wasYour wife say she going to destroy your child. And Im waiting to hear you talk like him and say we a people who give children life, you stand up and look like your daddy and say we done give up one baby to poverty and that we aint going to give up nary another oneIm waiting. (Hansberry, 75) although Mama is disappointed in her son, she still has hopes for him, and believes he can overcome his internal conflicts to become the son her husband would be proud of. She is one of the main reasons that the family can function and stay together. Mama also teaches Travis important life lessons, giving his parents hope that despite some bad living conditions in the small apartment, he will still grow up to be a good child.

In the book A Raisin in the Sun, the author, Lorraine Hansberrey shows us that despite poor living conditions, hope can still be found. Many things such as the small window that lets in natural light and Mamas plant symbolize hope and help to support the family through rough times. It also helps them to believe in themselves, and the people around them. These symbols of hope help the family to move forward and start a new, better life.