Does It Dry Up Like a Raisin in The Sun

The Raisin's Symbolic Power

In Lorraine Hansberry's famous play, "A Raisin in the Sun," there's this little thing—a raisin—that packs a big punch. It's kind of like a metaphor for all those dreams we shove to the back burner. You know, the ones that just sit there and dry out? Hansberry uses this shriveled-up image to show us what happens when our hopes get put on hold. Things can start feeling pretty bleak and even fall apart.

So, let's dive into why this raisin is such a big deal and what it means for the folks in the play. By checking out how these dreams shrink like raisins, we get a better grip on all the complicated stuff going down in "A Raisin in the Sun."

'Does It Dry Up Like a Raisin in The Sun'

The raisin pops up first through Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem." It hits you with that question, "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?" This question sets off the whole theme of held-back dreams throughout the play. The raisin shows us hope drying up, potential being wasted away. It's like a constant reminder for everyone about what they want but can't quite reach.

Take Walter Lee Younger, for example. He's got this liquor store idea at the start of the play. He thinks it's his ticket to financial freedom and purpose. But every time his dream gets shot down, Walter gets more frustrated. His dreams just shrink up, kind of like that raisin left too long in the sun.

The Raisin's Impact on the Younger Family

It's not just Walter feeling this; it's like a whole family affair. Each member has their own set of dreams and roadblocks thanks to society's limitations. This raisin stands as their shared burden—the harsh reality they're stuck with.

Mama, for instance, dreams of owning a house with a garden. She's worked hard her whole life but always runs into money problems or discrimination stopping her plans. That dried-up raisin reflects Mama's frustration as she watches her dream slip further away.

Then there's Beneatha who wants to become a doctor. She faces racial prejudice and gender expectations from back in the '50s. Her dreams too seem choked by life around her, losing vitality just like our friend, Mr. Raisin.

Implications of the Raisin Symbol

This pesky little raisin shows us how damaging unfulfilled dreams can be—for people and their communities alike—and how they trap folks into cycles of hopelessness if constantly deferred.

Hansberry also points out bigger issues here: racism, poverty or gender roles impacting anyone trying to reach goals beyond themself—kindling needful change so others aren't held back anymore (you betcha!).

Conclusion

The humble raisin sums up all those dried-up aspirations throughout "A Raisin in The Sun." Hansberry really nails down loss-of-hope imagery here along with limited potentials due largely because external forces prevent realization entirely sometimes—symbolizing character struggle while serving poignant reminders needed social reforms! Let's think about our own hopes/dreams now… Can they flourish?

• Hansberry L., (1959). A Raisin In The Sun: Playwright Edition
• Hughes L., (1951). Harlem (Dream Deferred), Poetry Foundation Archive
• Katz D., (2004). Cultural Implications Of Deferred Dreams In Literature Studies Journal Vol XXIII Issue 5 pp13–27
• Samuels G.J & Harris T.P editors(2016) Analyzing African American Theater Through Time McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages Division NYC NY USA ISBN-13:9780073131390
• Pierce M., (1998). Lost Dreams Found: The Struggle For Identity In Black Literature New York City Press pp87–110
• Taylor R.E(1993) Representations Of Racism Within 20th Century Dramatic Works Yale University Press Department Drama Studies Series No5 ISBN0-300-06767-1