A Raisin in the Sun Group at eNotes

Is there any irony in the play? (ACT II)

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:40:18 PST

Is there any irony in the play? (ACT II)

This dramatic work represents an ethnic group but it also deals with...

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:22:20 PST

This dramatic work represents an ethnic group but it also deals with universal themes such as friendship, trust, betrayal, loss, hope, disillusionment, etc. Everyone can relate to it in some way. Also, it is a well-balanced, cohesive "vignette" of a lower class American family. The protagonist is not a super-hero but an ordinary "everyman" type, dealing with his problems somewhat unsuccessfully:Despite an incredible number...

(ACT II) What are some dramatic techniques in the play? Please name...

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:43:13 PST

(ACT II) What are some dramatic techniques in the play? Please name and discuss three.

When the play opens, the relationship between Ruth and Walter is...

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:00:24 PST

When the play opens, the relationship between Ruth and Walter is definitely strained. At the time, we don't know it but Ruth is pregnant and unsure if she will be able to have the baby because there is simply not enough space in their cramped apartment. Walter and Ruth even struggle over Travis, Walter playing "the good guy" and Mama being the disciplinarian. In addition, there is a struggle for leadership of the family between Mama and...

What are the dynamics of family relationships within "A Raisin in...

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:30:06 PST

What are the dynamics of family relationships within "A Raisin in the Sun".

How does A Raisin in the Sun transcend the label minority literature?

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:18:15 PST

How does A Raisin in the Sun transcend the label minority literature?

In A Raisin in the Sun what is the authors intention for writing this...

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:43:32 PST

In A Raisin in the Sun what is the authors intention for writing this piece, and what audience was the piece intended for?

In Trifles and A Raisin in the Sun,what are the specific contextual...

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:53:11 PST

In Trifles and A Raisin in the Sun,what are the specific contextual symbols and how do these contribute to to both works?

Certainly racism is the largest social issue in this play. It appears...

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:49:00 PST

Certainly racism is the largest social issue in this play. It appears in a variety of ways. First, consider the jobs that the characters hold; Walter Lee is a chauffeur, and Mama and Ruth are domestic workers. For poor African-Americans, who lacked education, these were the only options - working in subservient positions. Beneatha is trying to avoid that, by attending college and aspiring to be a doctor. Second, consider the...

Sorry - it's a big question! Lastly, you could look at generational...

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:49:00 PST

Sorry - it's a big question! Lastly, you could look at generational issues. Mama has a more direct connection with the horrors of slavery and share-cropping, and this makes her more hesitant to engage with the white powers around her (Mr. Lindner, Walter's and Ruth's employers). Walter & Ruth represent the next generation that has bought into the American dream, and Beneatha is even more modern with her interest in her African roots.

The play was first presented in 1959 and forecasts many of the problems...

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:49:00 PST

The play was first presented in 1959 and forecasts many of the problems and issues that would divide American society in the 1960's. The first issue the play deals with is a lack of economic opportunity for Black families. All the characters accept Beneatha are working at rather menial jobs. What is unusual is that Beneatha wants a college education in order to become a doctor, but even her own brother questions that when he says "Why...

What two major social issues do you see emerging in the play "A Raisin...

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:12:59 PST

What two major social issues do you see emerging in the play "A Raisin in the Sun", and how do they affect everyone in the Younger family?

The most obvious conflict is that of racism and prejudice. The...

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:02:35 PST

The most obvious conflict is that of racism and prejudice. The Youngers are a black family moving into a white neighborhood. The neighbors try to pay them to move away and then resort to threats.There is also conflict with Beneatha wanting to be a doctor and the cost of her school. She believes she deserves the money more than anyone else for her education.Other family members have ideas about how to spend the money as well, so there is...

What conflicts do you see emerging in the play "A Raisin in the...

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:30:24 PST

What conflicts do you see emerging in the play "A Raisin in the Sun"?

The pathlogical and resilient approach to examine the Younger family.

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:14:05 PST

The pathlogical and resilient approach to examine the Younger family.

The setting of the play is the Younger family apartment. It's a very...

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:31:14 PST

The setting of the play is the Younger family apartment. It's a very crowded place. Walter Lee and Ruth have one bedroom, Beneatha and Mama have the other; Travis is relegated to sleeping on the couch in the living room. They share a bathroom with other tenants in the building. They have lived here a long time, but all have versions of a dream of moving to a bigger and more sun-filled place, especially Mama and Ruth in terms of the...

Describe the setting of the play "A Raisin in the Sun" by...

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:31:36 PST

Describe the setting of the play "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry.

The name "Karl" may be Hansberry's way of getting back at people like...

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:29:18 PST

The name "Karl" may be Hansberry's way of getting back at people like Linder, because "Carl" was the first name of Hansberry's father who also bought property in an all white area when Hansberry was a child. The traditional symbolism for Linder is the devil. His name rhymes with "cinder", what is left after something burns. In addition, what Linder is asking Walter to do is a devilish bargain. He will make it possible for Walter to get back...

What is the significance of Karl Lindner's name in "A Raisin in the...

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:10:35 PST

What is the significance of Karl Lindner's name in "A Raisin in the Sun"?

I'm wondering if you are asking what a Formalist would think of "A...

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:52:16 PST

I'm wondering if you are asking what a Formalist would think of "A Raisin in the Sun" or how a Formalist would approach or critique the play. If this is what your questions is asking then this might be a helpful answer. First of all dictionary.com describes Formalism as "A method of aesthetic analysis that emphasizes structural elements and artistic techniques rather than content, especially in literary works" This...