A Raisin in the Sun is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry that tells the story of a black family’s experiences in Chicago’s South Side during the 1950s. The play explores themes such as racial discrimination, poverty, and the importance of family. Throughout the play, there are several quotes that highlight the significance of family, and in this article, we will discuss some of them.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
A Raisin in the Sun is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry that tells the story of a black family’s experiences in Chicago’s South Side during the 1950s. The play explores themes such as racial discrimination, poverty, and the importance of family. Throughout the play, there are several quotes that highlight the significance of family, and in this article, we will discuss some of them.
The Importance of Family
One of the main themes in A Raisin in the Sun is the importance of family. The Younger family is a tight-knit group that supports each other through thick and thin. When they receive a large sum of money, their first instinct is to use it to improve their living conditions and provide a better future for their children.
“We have decided to move into our house because my father – my father – he earned it for us brick by brick… We don’t want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors. That’s all we got to say about that. We don’t want your money.” - Walter Younger
This quote shows how Walter values his family and their hard work. He sees the house as a symbol of his father’s sacrifice and wants to honor it by living in it.
Parent-Child Relationships
Another important aspect of the play is the relationship between parents and children. The Younger family has three generations living under one roof, and each member has their own aspirations and dreams. The parents want to provide a better life for their children, but they also want their children to respect their decisions.
“There is always something left to love. And if you ain’t learned that, you ain’t learned nothing. Have you cried for that boy today? I don’t mean for yourself and for the family ‘cause we lost the money. I mean for him: what he been through and what it done to him. Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody? Well then, you ain’t through learning – because that ain’t the time at all. It’s when he’s at his lowest and can’t believe in hisself ‘cause the world done whipped him so! When you starts measuring somebody, measure him right, child, measure him right. Make sure you done taken into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is.” - Lena Younger
This quote by Lena, the matriarch of the family, shows how she wants her daughter-in-law to understand the struggles that her son has gone through. She wants her to have empathy and to measure him based on his experiences.
The Impact of Dreams
Each member of the Younger family has their own dreams that they want to achieve. Ruth wants to have a better life for her family, Beneatha wants to become a doctor, and Walter wants to start his own business. These dreams impact the family in different ways, but they all require sacrifice and hard work.
“Seem like God didn’t see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams – but He did give us children to make them dreams seem worth while.” - Lena Younger
This quote shows how Lena sees her grandchildren as a reason to keep fighting for their dreams. She believes that their dreams are worth something because they are fighting for a better future for their children.
Question and Answer
Q: Why is family important in A Raisin in the Sun?
A: Family is important in A Raisin in the Sun because it is a central theme of the play. The Younger family is a tight-knit group that supports each other through thick and thin. They work together to achieve their dreams and overcome obstacles.
Q: What is Lena’s opinion on measuring someone?
A: Lena believes that people should measure someone based on their experiences and struggles. She wants her daughter-in-law to understand the difficulties that her son has gone through and to have empathy for him.
Conclusion
A Raisin in the Sun is a powerful play that explores the themes of family, dreams, and discrimination. The quotes we discussed show how important family is to the Younger family and how their dreams impact their lives. By understanding these themes, we can learn important lessons about the value of hard work, sacrifice, and empathy.
