A Raisin in the Sun is a play that explores themes of identity, family, racism, and the American Dream. The story follows the Younger family in their cramped apartment on the South Side of Chicago. They receive a life insurance check after the death of the family patriarch, and tensions rise as each family member has different ideas about how to spend the money.
For students tasked with writing an analysis essay on A Raisin in The Sun, it can be helpful to read sample essays first. These can provide insight into how to approach the work and help develop your own thesis statement.
In the introduction, students should provide a short summary and the main topics while also setting up their argumentative approach to the subject. The body should delve into specific essay topics, such as the symbolism of the plant or the role of Walter Lee Younger as a tragic hero.
For a literary analysis in A Raisin in The Sun research papers, explore how the topics are presented through the characters and their actions. This can involve a detailed character analysis or examining the interactions between the family members.
Whether students are writing a research paper, a book review, or a movie analysis, reading sample A Raisin in The Sun essays can help them to develop their own unique perspective. In conclusion, students should provide a final evaluation and the play’s relevance to contemporary society.
Analysis Essay on A Raisin in the Sun
In “A Raisin in the Sun,” by Lorraine Hansberry, dreams are a large part of the theme of the story. Almost every character in the play has one. Dreams are great things, but unfortunately with growth, dreams fade, and everyone has to experience them.
First, readers see Walter’s dream wither away. Before readers see it fade though, they have to see it grow. Walter dreams of being financially stable, enough so that he can support and allow his family to survive and thrive, and do what they wish. He seems to try hard to achieve that dream of his, but instead, he falls short of it due to the fact that the money he put into his business got stolen. In the play, most characters felt that even though he didn’t achieve his dream in that way, he achieved something just good. That is his pride, work, and humanity. Mama says Walter, “finally came into manhood” (Hansberry ). He ended up instead being proud of his family, rather than wanting a ton of money
Next, readers see Beneatha and her dreams. Beneath dreams of becoming a doctor and getting equality for her and people like her. For the majority of the play, she seems to be achieving her dream, but unfortunately, just like her brother’s, it gets deferred. Her dream of becoming a doctor at that exact time got pushed back because of the loss of money. Secondly, her dream for equality, specifically for her race as well as gender, got pushed back because women in that time period were meant to build a home, not a career like Beneatha wanted. She believed her dream got deferred when she was born the way she was, a colored female.
Lastly, readers see Mama’s dream. Mama’s dream was to move her whole family out of the small apartment they shared, into a new home that included a yard and garden. Her dream was deferred when the family first moved into the apartment. It continued while she and Mr. Younger couldn’t make enough money to move out.
Fortunately, as well as unfortunately, Mr. Youngers’s death provided them with enough money to move out, and they did. In the end, Mama’s dream ended up being fulfilled, it was just after a lot of pushing back.
To conclude, anyone can see that “A Raisin in the Sun,” was a story full of dreams. Some dreams got achieved and some that didn’t. As silly as it is to keep pushing your dreams back, it is more important that you eventually achieve them. Luckily, it seems like most characters eventually did reach the dreams!
