August 07, 2015 - Posted to Research Paper Writing Guide

A Raisin in the Sun Essay

Lorraine Hansberry, author of the play, A Raisin in the Sun, grew up on the Southside of Chicago, an all-black neighborhood. Events of her life impacted everything she wrote. When her well-educated parents moved the family to a white neighborhood, they faced the wrath and legal action by those residents. So determined was her father that he took the case all the way to the Supreme Court and won. Both of her parents were tireless in their efforts to work again racial discrimination, and Hansberry grew up adopting those values as well. Her outlet, however, was in her writing, and A Raisin in the Sun is now considered her crowning achievement.

Characters, Themes, and Social Comment Abound

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is “standard fare” for any modern American literature course, because of its wide range of themes and because it is the first nationally performed play with an all-black cast, except for two walk-on bit performances by a single white actor. It is primarily a depiction of the struggles of an African-American urban family with dreams that seem to be unreachable given the political and social climate of discrimination. It is also a story of black identity, feminism, gender role models within the African-American community of that time, and feminism. With this many facets, the possible topics for “A Raisin in the Sun” analysis essay are almost too numerous to name. Here are just a few potential topics:

1. What are the dreams of the adult family members?
2. Discuss the symbolism of Mama’s plant with respect to the dreams of the household members.
3. Discuss the conflict of assimilation and black identity as depicted by George and Asagai. Provide examples from their dialogue throughout the play.
4. How does Beneatha represent the early modern feminist movement of the 1950’s? Does she sacrifice this dream in the end? Why or why not?
5. Who has power and authority in the beginning of the play? Who has it at the end of the play? How was this change depicted by the actors’ behaviors and conversation?

Likewise, “A Raisin in the Sun” theme essay has many possibilities:

1. How is the value of dreams demonstrated in each of the adult members of the Younger family?
2. Intolerance and discrimination are not introduced as a theme until Act II. What events lead up to the introduction of this theme? How does the family ultimately respond to the discrimination they face? In what ways does this theme still play out today?
3. The play speaks to the importance of family, especially when a family is struggling to survive and perhaps realize a dream or two. How do these family members support one another even though they are at odds much of the time?

Examples of “A Raisin in the Sun” Essays Online

If you are looking for additional options for essays on this play, there are many samples available to you online. They can give you great ideas and show you how structure your essay, but, in the end, you must produce your own original piece. If that prospect is still elusive to you, then contact a writing service for a pro who can provide custom essay writing that will be original and of high quality.