A Raisin in the Sun - Meaning, Intention

4. Evaluation 4.1 Symbolism and dreams Theoretically, you could analyze all the characters in great detail. All characters open up through subtil information and dialogue. I have focused on Beneatha and Walter, as they have two different levels of desire, but I could still show how it is reflected in the play. When you look through all the characters then notice that each character has a symbolic meaning. Walter symbolizes hope, will to fight, passion and pursuit of his dreams. He can be seen as a fighter for his race, against social and economic oppression, even if it never worked out. His dream is economic independence so that he can raise his family in a higher social standing. Beneatha symbolizes feminism and curiosity. She tries to be an independent person, and she dreams and stands for more social aspects, such as oppressed woman, and for more equality, and also against the misrepresentation of the woman. But also stands for economic independence by wishing to become a doctor, so that such relationships can not exist in the first place, and a woman shall not be dependent on the income of men and thus also make their own decisions. She acts against prejudice and educates herself further. Mama and Ruth stand for hope and loyalty. Their traditional believes often conflicts with that of Beneatha and Walter, but the both still want their dreams to be fulfilled, in hope for a better life. Travis, on the other hand, symbolizes future and innocence. He is the next generation of the family, and he should be able to chase his dreams as this too. thus represents the rising generations. He has not yet experienced the racism that would await him in his life These are all beliefs and desires that are represented in the beginning definition of the American Dream. 4.2 Interesting observations about Hansberry’s depiction The characters are not only portrayed as victims of the system, who are all quite positive, but still have to suffer. They all have their problems, which are not only due to segregation and racism. Hansberry does not write in a one-sided way, nor does he call for hatred or revenge (as others might do). She shows that she is a very open-minded person who can see all sides of the coin. It is interesting to mention that the only high educated character Beneatha is also the only feminist one. She might want to express that people who are not for equality are not only selfish but also uneducated. According to the biography, there is a big parallel to Hansberry's real life and the play. That they wanted them out of a white neighborhood.2 It is important to note that the play was released during the civil rights movement, and the voting rights act, and the speech of MLK did not exist at that time. 4.3 Summary of the results Lorraine Hansberry presents characters who want to chase and want to live in the American dream but are stopped, and struggle, because of their race, gender and class. She shows extreme cases and black experience of urban segregation and racial stereotypes, and shows connection to blacks, and invites whites to become aware of this. They try to approach the ideals of the American dream but fail because they mostly don't exist for minorities and women. Their dreams are not specific black dreams, but general dreams of poorer, and working class people, but the reason why they can’t really reach it is exactly that they are black. It is a play that stands up against racism and sexism. It is a play that unconsciously calls for the values of the American dream to be accessible to everyone. It shows the importance of dreams, different concepts of living together as a family, specific Black problems and the will to rise in society, by setting a frustrating tone. And this message from Lorraine Hansberry's can be extracted from this one play that just seems about a black family with internal problems. The notion of the American dream is presented in the play as a dream whose values should apply to everyone, but unfortunately do not.