The Raisin In The Sun Literary Analysis Essay

Clyde T. Killingbeck
Mrs. Kuretich and Mrs. Muldoon
English 2B
5 February 2016

“Somebody tell me- tell me, who decides which woman is suppose to wear pearls in this world? I tell you I am a man- and I think my wife should wear some pearls in this world” (Hansberry 143). Walter Lee, the poor soul and victim of the society in the 1950s Chicago, just wanted…. The Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry focuses on an oppressed black family, the Youngers, as they tackle destruction of dreams, racism, and discrimination. Walter Lee the ambitious, proud protagonist faces many challenges brought upon him by the antagonist, society. In the beginning of the drama, the family's abominable situation comes to light. With the detailed description of
Around this time, Civil Rights movements were spreading throughout the country. Walter’s dreams themselves go against every white belief of the time and fully support the cause of the-the radical movements. “...the National Association of Real Estate Boards issued ethical guidelines that specified that a realtor ‘should never be instrumental in introducing into a neighborhood a character or property or occupancy, members of any race or nationality, or any individual whose presence will be clearly detrimental to property values in a neighborhood’” (Civilright.org). Walter dreams of having a big, lovely home for him and his family to stay in. At the time, they would totally view him as a virus and would never sell him a home, but Walter, ambitious has he his, would rise above the challenge through the support of his family. “Throughout the late nineteenth century and well into the twentieth, blacks as a group were barred from machine work… and from white-collar clerical and service work. ‘Modernization’ wore a white face” (Prospect.org). Walter’s next dream is to have an executive job. The whites, however, view Walter has an ugly and useless hammer and would never choose him for the job. Only someone crazy would choose that hammer. That hammer, however, has an unyielding passion, passion that help’s the hammer build bigger
“He finally comes into his manhood today…” (Hansberry 151). Walter has finally become a man by standing up to the “Man”, Linder. Walter has gained power and respect in the family, this makes him capable of handling his dream and the stress behind it. Not only does Walter want power, he wants acceptance from his family. “I am a giant- surrounded by ants” (Hansberry 85). Walter expresses his frustration through a powerful analogy. With his vision coming to true Mama, Beneatha, and Ruth will finally see his genius helping the strained relations. Lastly, through personal gain Walter wants to increase his self-worth. Self-worth makes Walter’s dream more passionate than the others and drives him. “I know ain’t nothing in this world as busy as you colored college boys wit your fraternity pins and white shoes” (84). Walter is like the ugly duckling, a very consensus of his appearance, but with his dream, he becomes a beautiful swan in the end. Walter deserves his dream to come true because the dream can help shape him into a better man and give him the confidence he