A Raisin in the Sun Group at eNotes

A bit of insight in "A Raisin in the Sun"?

Sun, 7 Sep 2008 15:37:09 PST

Linder refers to the topic of is discussion with the Youngers as one of Clybourne Park's "special community problems." Why is this ironic?

The simple answer is that the apartment is a very tangible symbol of...

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 14:07:49 PST

The simple answer is that the apartment is a very tangible symbol of what the family is missing, and what their dreams are trying to move them out of. The apartment lacks space, with Travis sleeping on the couch, and Mama and Beneatha sharing a bedroom. The apartment lacks sunlight, with Mama's plant barely surviving.The detailed description of the apartment also helps establish the time period of the play, as well as important family...

In "A Raisin in the Sun", why does the author go to such...

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 13:18:23 PST

In "A Raisin in the Sun", why does the author go to such lengths to describe the furnishings of the Younger family's apartment?

A tragic hero must have certain characteristics. The first is that he...

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:32:04 PST

A tragic hero must have certain characteristics. The first is that he should be of a noble birth or have great wisdom. He must have a flaw in his character that leads to his downfall. This leads to a downfall. It is then that the hero realizes his mistake and learns from it. We should empathize with the hero, not despise him for his flaw. Many tragic heroes suffer death, but they face their deaths very heroically. How does Walter Lee...

At the beginning of the play, Walter is in a high place of...

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:30:49 PST

At the beginning of the play, Walter is in a high place of self-control. Not only is there the prospect of the insurance money, but he also has an opportunity to make himself a business owner, independent instead of subservient. But then comes his fatal flaw, which is common to all tragic heroes. Through hubris (pride), he places his duty to himself above his duty to his family (with himself as part of that family). The tragic choice...

How does "The Raisin in the Sun" show that the lead character...

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:48:02 PST

Three or more aspects, please.

Wow. Thank you. That clears a bit up for me. Im glad i stumbled onto...

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:48:42 PST

Wow. Thank you. That clears a bit up for me. Im glad i stumbled onto this website with active posters.

This pet name certainly fits Beneatha. While bread is enough to...

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:27:04 PST

This pet name certainly fits Beneatha. While bread is enough to sustain and sustain only, Beneatha wants more out of life than this. This is proven by her consistent search for her identity that the rest of her family teases her about but that Asagai understands about her. At that time in history, this pet name would most likely have applied to many African Americans as they struggled to build a society in which they could nourish, not...

Asagai and Beneathea

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:19:25 PST

Wow. Thank you. That clears a bit up for me. Im glad i stumbled onto this website with active posters.

"A Raisin in the Sun" could be argued a tragedy because of how...

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:06:32 PST

"A Raisin in the Sun" could be argued a tragedy because of how much was lost to the Younger family because of racism. Walter is so jaded by the way people treat him and his family that it leads him to destroy the most important relationships in his life. For example, he starts drinking very heavily to deal with the rejection he feels Mama puts him through by not believing in his dream to start a liquor store. Walter turns his back on...

How is "A Raisin in the Sun" a tragedy?

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:13:43 PST

How is "A Raisin in the Sun" a tragedy?

Ruth is angry because they don't have any money! Also, she feels that...

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 04:11:00 PST

Ruth is angry because they don't have any money! Also, she feels that Walter is spoiling Travis when the rest of the family does without. On a deeper level, it appears to Ruth that it is much of a man's world. However, ironically, it is Mama and her decision-making that seem to have left Walter incapable of being the head of his own family. Thus, you have another reason for him giving Travis the money, to show he has some power over the...

In "A Raisin in the Sun," why was Ruth mad when Walter gave...

Tue, 3 Jun 2008 15:15:22 PST

In "A Raisin in the Sun," why was Ruth mad when Walter gave Travis the money?

Walter Lee Younger was a chaffeur for a wealthy white man. More than...

Wed, 28 May 2008 08:24:38 PST

Walter Lee Younger was a chaffeur for a wealthy white man. More than anything, Walter was consumed with envy and rage because of the disparities that existed between African Americans and whites during the 1950s in America. Walter Lee would watch younger, well-educated, wealthy white boys take advantage of opportunities to increase their wealth and status simply because of the color of their skin. Walter Lee didn't just aspire to own a liquor...

The name calls to mind the "younger" generation. This family...

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:46:43 PST

The name calls to mind the "younger" generation. This family is living in a time a great change. The Civil Rights movement is promising equality to African-Americans, who have suffered unfairly for hundreds of years. Opportunities are present everywhere, and there is hope that the "American Dream" can be for all people and not just for white people. However, there is much that still stands in the way. Racism,...

What is the significance of the "Younger" family name?

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:26:50 PST

What is the significance of the "Younger" family name?

All the characters in this play are looking for a change of some kind,...

Fri, 16 May 2008 07:17:30 PST

All the characters in this play are looking for a change of some kind, especially the Younger children, Beaneatha and Walter. Beneatha is a college student, who dreams of medical school. Throughout the play, she struggles with her identity and what she ultimately wants. Beneatha seems to want to make a change for herself in every way. She is a feminist, who wants women, especially black women, to have equal rights; she wants to maintain...

Which characters in "A Raisin in the Sun" want to bring a change?

Wed, 14 May 2008 17:56:42 PST

who want to gain something

There are a few different themes that run together. The idea of...

Wed, 14 May 2008 16:28:43 PST

There are a few different themes that run together. The idea of holding onto your dreams, in the presence of racism, which is the main theme in the work. "What happens to a person whose dreams grow more and more passionate--while his hopes of ever achieving those dreams grow dimmer each day?"The struggle for African Americans to gain civil rights and the prejudice that existed and intolerance in society before the laws were...

What is the theme of the play "A Raisin in the Sun"?

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:17:42 PST

What is the theme of the play "A Raisin in the Sun"?