The play by Lorraine Hansbury is a story that is based on the experiences of a black family within an estate in a Chicago neighborhood. Poverty and abject poverty for that matter is a central theme within the play. Various incidences and scenarios are used to describe the state of poverty of the family. The most common problems revolve around investments, and the family tends to have more conflicts in line with the money issues. Broadly, although Lorraine Hansbury’s “A Raisin in the Sun” touches on many themes, pro-integration is one of the things that come out strongly in the play. This essay therefore analyzes the pro-integration perception and also delves into the thematic aspect of determination.
In the novel, “A Raisin in the Sun,” an individual can tell that almost everyone or every character within the play experiences growth within the whole text of the play. Growth is an aspect that the writer bases on to ensure that the reader and the audience for that matter realize change. Walter Lee, who is the main character within the text, has several bouts of change that lead to his growth within the whole play (Hansberry, p.65).
The American dream can well be depicted in the novel through the story of struggle and survival by the family and more so Walter. Poverty and prejudice are baggage that he carries around within his neighborhood. He has numerous ambitions and goals that he would like to achieve. The aspect of growth is a crucial one in the normal life of any individual in society. Inclusion of growth in the narration allows the reader to relate and resonate with the message in the text. This connection is important as it reflects the day to day living in the society.
On the negative side of the play, the writer introduces and actually becomes a proponent of integration. The rivalry and sense of separation that existed between the major and minor groups in the United States was conspicuous, more so around the time the play came out. Various outcries were made in relation to the theme of integration within the novel (Hansberry, p.79). Clybourne Park was a wonder bread community that wanted to maintain its segregation. In the play, the Younger family has the motive and desire to move to a new neighborhood. They plan to do this regardless of the challenges that they might face financially and emotionally.
The money they use to pay for a new house is actually insurance money all in an attempt to keep the family intact. The African-American society at that time, however, was not ready for integration (Hansberry, p.98). By pushing for the various racial groups to cohabit and coexist, many people thought that it could not work. The major concern was that time and planning had to be taken to ensure that all the groups were ready for the ending of the segregation. As it turns out, the level of trust from the whites was low, and the African-American families were of the opinion that they were not ready to face segregation and discrimination on a constant basis.
It turns out to be a bad decision when the business falls through, and the family is faced with greater challenges and more complex choices to make (Hansberry, p.93). By choosing to look at the decision making process that a poor and black family has to go through, Hansberry manages to cut across a number of black families living in the same conditions as those of the Younger family.
Environmental pressure pushes Walter and the entire family to desire for a bigger and spacious house to accommodate them. The pregnancy of Walter’s wife goes a long way in increasing the challenges and pressures in the family (Hansberry, p.56). The interesting part that the writer uses to hold the attention of the reader is that, in the midst of all the conflicts and challenges, new ideas and dreams still find a way within the family.
Determination is also an aspect that writer manages to squeeze into the rubrics of the paper through highlighting the story of the family’s desire to move to an area full of whites (Hansberry, p.101). The values of family are well captured in the narration through the belief by the family that success can only be achieved by sticking together. The family decides that in choosing to stand by one another, their dreams and aspirations might be attained. They decide to move to the new house in the white neighborhood regardless of the challenges that they might encounter.
In summation, the story and narration by Lorraine can be described as one that is inclusive in nature. It addresses the day to day life and challenges that were faced by the black American families in an era of oppression. The various thematic aspects that the writer uses in the novel, interlink to bring forth a captivating novel of immense diversity and creativity. The dreams and desires of the Younger family are used to create a coherent story of determination and hope against all odds.
Works Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage Books, 1994. Print.
