A Raisin in the Sun Group

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katromero
katromero
Student
College - Junior

Is there any irony in "A Raisin in the Sun"?

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Posted by katromero on Saturday November 22, 2008 at 9:40 PM and tagged with a raisin in the sun, irony, plays, raisin in the sun, themes.

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  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    One of the best examples of irony in Act II is when George Murchison calls Walter, Prometheus. Walter never understands the illusion but those in the audience probably do. Prometheus was a Greek Titan who, contrary to the wishes of Zeus, brought fire to humans from Mt. Olympus. This was in order to help humans stay warm. Ironically, Walter wants to bring liquor to humanity which is not very helpful.
    In order to punish Prometheus, the gods had him chained to a rock and had an eagle eat his liver each day. At night, the liver would grow back and the process would start all over again. George's implication is also that Walter is destroying his liver because he drinks too much. Walter does not understand the irony of this either and thinks George just made up the name.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/raisin-sun

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    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Sunday November 23, 2008 at 12:57 PM