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CONGRATULATIONS ON making it to the final book of the summer! I’ve been enjoying reading your comments on the novels. Keep up the good thinking. As you read this play, think about what makes a play different from a novel, and how those differences help us to understand the reading.
The idea is that this spot should be a conversation about your important and unique thoughts on the novel, so when you post, respond to what others have said and add something new to the conversation. Support your discussion with quotes from the text and discussion or analysis of those passages. Do not simply summarize the events of the novel. Remember that you must post four times. Proofread carefully because I will not approve poorly edited comments, and you will not receive credit for them. Postings for this book are due August 31. Difficulty in posting is not an excuse for lateness.
32 Comments
Jared Cloutier
8/19/2015 02:21:23 am
So far I am one scene into the book and I am already very intrigued by the story. I notice that the drama style is different from a regular novel in that most of the text is dialogue with just a few brief notes to describe the setting and the characters' actions. I am already starting to become a fan of certain characters, specifically Walter, because he has a great sense of ambition as well as a family of his own to take care of, and I think that once he gets the money for his liquor store it will be hard for it not to do well. Like her brother, Beneatha too has an ambitious spirit with her desire to become a doctor, but I think that because of the fact that Walter already has a wife and a kid, he could use the financial help a bit more than Beneatha, and once he did start to make the money back I have no doubt that he would help his sister out with her dream in return. I also am not very fond of the way that Beneatha talks to her mother regarding her beliefs, saying, "It's just that I get tired of Him getting credit for all the things the human race achieves through its own stubborn effort. There simply is no blasted God" (Hansberry 51). I do think that people are completely entitled to their own beliefs, and they should be able to express them freely, but at the same time it is still wrong to disrespect or bash on the beliefs of someone else, and there are much better ways of expressing a belief than the way Beneatha did, especially when she knew it would be a sensitive topic for her mother. Nevertheless I am excited to see what happens next for both of the Younger children, and I am also very intrigued to figure out what exactly happened to Ruth as I continue reading.
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Madds Fri
8/22/2015 06:55:17 am
I am only one scene into the play and I am enjoying the story a lot more than I had expected. In the first few pages I did not like the format it was written in because I am so used to reading novels. However, after reading a few more pages I began to enjoy it. I was so wrapped up in the story I barely noticed I was reading a play! I immediately realized how differently women are treated and perceived. Bennie was a character that stood out to me the moment I learned she was in school to be a doctor. It was quite clear she would face a lot of judgement my only because of her race, but also her gender. Even people of the same race didn't really respect her goals. Like when she talked about her date with George and how he "still thinks that's pretty funny" (Hansberry 50) regarding her becoming a doctor. It is obvious Bennie is a strong, ambitious woman and I hope society doesn't diminish her traits.
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Eliza Johnson
8/27/2015 07:20:29 am
After finishing the first scene, I am realizing how much I enjoy the elements of a drama. Though there are only brief setting and character descriptions, it is easy to picture the story. I think the element that helps me picture the action the most is the dialogue. I get a sense of each character and can imagine how he or she would act. Like Maddy, I knew right away that Beneatha was a strong woman. I admire her willingness to go against the grain as she strives to become a doctor instead of the stereotypical nurse. She bravely challenges Mama as she declares her disbelief in God, stating “there is only man and it is he who makes miracles” (Hansberry 51). I think this statement means that Bennie wants to join the human race in changing the world. Maddy, I also can tell there is a theme going on about women being treated unequally. I love the author’s decision to include use this theme with such strong female characters. Not only is Bennie strong, but Ruth likes to have a say against her husband, and Mama loves feeling authority in the household. I am very interested to discover how these three women handle this theme as their lives progress.
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Jamie Fortenbacher
8/31/2015 08:00:50 am
I too love how easy it is to picture the scenes and everything happening. The stage cues/tones of the characters are definitely helpful in gaining the full perspective of the scene, without being overwhelming. I was worried at first that reading a play would be kind of "dry" (and that's coming from a theater goer herself) but I have so far been pleasantly pleased with the storyline. Like Maddie and Eliza, I too see Beneatha as a strong willed and progressive girl. I really admire her for standing up against her mom when discussing their beliefs. At one point Bennie says to her mother, " I am not going out and be immoral or commit crimes cause I don't believe in God" (pg. 51), it is this instant that I fell in love with Bennie's character. It is, what I believe to be, an incredibly true statement. Religion does not have to be the main proprietor in life, it can be if you want it too, but that is the thing, only if YOU want it too. A Raisin in the Sun seems to be for the most part a very traditional book, but I can already tell Beneatha will be the opposing force, pushing the book towards a new era of thinking.
William
8/31/2015 12:28:40 pm
I share similar admiration for Bennie and Ruth. Bennie takes the cake by a mile as my favorite character so far. All of her ideas and everything she says is so bold and unburdened by society. Sad, though, is that the other two women introduced do not share her beliefs; both Ruth and Lena being appalled at the idea of Bennie never marrying. Now Walter, he bothers me. He does not see his wife as his equal, and he does not believe Bennie should have the ambition she does; evident in his "who the hell told you you had to be a doctor" statement (38). Hansberry managed to create something that resonates beyond its time period. The exchanges between the members of the family are not dated in the least either. So, beyond having cultural relevance, all of the characters are perfectly believable in any time to the present.
Shane Lucas
8/23/2015 05:25:42 am
Ruth and Walter's juxtaposed attitudes shine through during moments of confrontation. Walter sees opportunities to get ahead in life as an all or nothing gamble, and as such, charges ahead without thinking, sometimes causing an unwanted outcome. Ruth on the other hand, sees no reason to make unwise monetary gambles that could be a detriment to their families financial situation. Walter has made multiple attempts to convince Ruth that his pursuits will have positive affects in the long run, but she is worn down by his constant ideas with no outcome as prevalent by her attidude toward him wanting to start a liquor store buisness. " Honey, you never say nothing new. I listen every day, every night and every morning, and you never say nothing new." (pg. 16).
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Jared Coutier
8/25/2015 12:28:50 am
I am now two scenes into the story and I must say that things are not going quite the way I thought they would. I was not surprised when I found out that Ruth was pregnant, after her incident in scene one, but I was surprised when Mama, knowing this, tells Walter,"There ain't going to be no investing in no liquor stores," right after she receives the check (Hansberry 70). I would have thought that Mama would have at least been able to listen to what Walter had to say before shutting him down. I do not think Ruth or Walter want to get an abortion at all, but knowing their current family and financial situation, they probably feel like it is their only realistic option. I hope that something happens for the family so that they are able to keep the baby, and I am excited to keep reading and find out what does actually happen.
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Jamie Fortenbacher
8/31/2015 10:28:02 am
I thought the complete opposite! I had no idea Ruth was pregnant, it was the farthest thing from what I thought might be wrong. But I figured Mama wouldn't give Walter any money, because I believe she sees the family as a whole unit and that one person can't and/or shouldn't be better of than the rest of the family. However I do agree in that I hope Ruth decides to keep the baby, not only for herself, but for Walter and Travis too. Ruth truly does love Walter, even though they argue, a lot. She shows this through food. It is a way for her to care for her husband and connect with him. When Walter arrives home drunk, she tries to get him to drink something hot to help his stomach but he refuses and says "why you always trying to give me something to eat?" to which Ruth replies "what else can I give you, Walter Lee Younger?" (pg. 88). Ruth sees food as her only and last resort to love her husband. They have pushed each other apart so much that she doesn't know what else she can do, which also may be why she feels the need to have an abortion. Nevertheless I look forward to the rest of the book.
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Shane Lucas
8/25/2015 04:56:00 am
Walter's younger sister Beneatha is a very progressive thinker and more broad idea of thinking apropos to her other family members. This can make her come across as arrogant or naive to those around her. She has pride in her heritage and stands for equality while others see her as being young and full of herself. She is facinated with new ideas and activites, even if they cannot keep her attention for long. When her brother tries to get his mother's inheritance for his start up buisness Beneatha confronts him and tells him it is his mother's decision for what to do with the money. When her mother calls her out for not being Christian like, she retorts with her own synopsis on god and ideas. "It's all a matter of ideas, and God is just one idea I don't accept. It's not important. I am not going out and be immoral or commit crimes because I don't believe in God...I just get tired of Him getting credit for all the things the human race achieves through its own stubborn effort."(pg. 36). She disagrees with her mothers idea that a devine entity can claim responsibility for humanities accomplishments that have been carved in history and been laid down for future generations.
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Alyssa Lodes
8/25/2015 11:30:57 am
Right away in A Raisin in the Sun It is easy to notice all of the characters having dreams and wishes in which they hope to be fulfilled. Walter Younger imagines life with money; life would be much simpler with money. Beneatha has big dreams of becoming a doctor, she wants to be an independent woman, and she even mentioned the idea of never getting married, (page 50) however, her mom and Ruth believe she is crazy for even considering the option of independency. I agree with Maddy, Beneatha is a very strong willed woman and I do not want to see her brought down because of her race and her sex.
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Maddy Fri
8/30/2015 10:20:21 am
Back to the subject of Beneatha's strong will, I think she really let it show when she officially broke up with George. Hansberry made it very clear throughout the book how opinionated and determined she is. When she was with George, her personality could never really show without him complaining about her. He would say things like "'That's all you need, honey, forget the atmosphere. Guys aren't going to go for the atmosphere-they're going to go for what they see'" (Hansberry 96). He was the type of man a woman like Beneatha should not be with. He would only bring her down instead of lifting her up. I was proud of her when she left him, even though it wasn't what her family would have wanted, she put herself first. It made me happy when Mama understood her decision and supported her because it really displayed growth in Mama's character.
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William Krohn
8/31/2015 01:58:54 pm
Maddy, I agree wholeheartedly with you! I was very relieved when Bennie dropped that dead weight and stayed true to herself. I was honestly surprised Lena accepted it without trying to make a case as to why she needed a man like George to survive. I think it brought them a little closer together, and Bennie really appreciated her mother finally taking a step out of 1752. Character development is something I worship in a book, so it was so satisfying for me as well. With this particular case, I think it exemplifies that anyone can become less ignorant, if they try/want to, even those so deeply rooted in the past.
Alyssa Lodes
8/26/2015 01:27:57 pm
In Act one, scene two we learn even more about the personalities of the Younger family. As we already know Walter dreams of money and success, but it becomes a point that he does not necessarily put his family at a high priority. Ruth on the other hand is trying so hard to keep her family together. By deciding on an abortion it is
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Shane Lucas
8/27/2015 05:17:30 am
There is a constant struggle between the Younger family with what to do with Lena's inheritance. Lena makes it clear that this is the first time the family has been faced with a large sum of money. "Now you all be quiet. It's just a check ...Now don't act silly ...We ain't never been no people to act silly 'bout no money"(pg.55). Ruth is dumbfounded with what to do with the money, but later supports Lena's decision to purchase a new house for the family, as it is a safe investment. Walter, however, stands by his decision to invest in a liquor store, as it could give them the upper hand in life. This yet again showcases Walter's stark contrast between his attitude and the rest of his families. He ventures into unknown territories to get ahead in life, although it could result in unforseen consequences, such as when his investment partner runs off with his money.
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Jared Cloutier
8/28/2015 01:16:38 am
I have now finished Scene one of "A Raisin in the Sun" and I am starting to see certain characters in a new light. Early in the story, I was hopeful for Walter that he would be able to open the store of his dreams and make enough money to buy a house for his immediate family as well as his mother and sister, but now I am starting to see that he may be placing too high of a value on this dream. I also agree with Alyssa that Mama does play a very important role in the family. She has a certain way of seeing through all of the madness surrounding the family, saying, "I just seen my family falling apart today...We was going backwards 'stead of forwards...When it gets like that in life-you just got to do something different" (Hansberry 94). Mama uses this speech to try and justify her choice to buy the family a new house of their own. I think this is a good decision on her part, because her family was becoming too concerned with the money, and started losing value of what is truly important. I am hopeful that Walter can see Mama's vision in buying the house eventually, and I am interested to see how living in an all white neighborhood will turn out for the Youngers.
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Shane Lucas
8/28/2015 04:59:24 am
Walter's character goes through a metamorphosis at the end of this story. When a man offers the Youngers payment if they choose not to move into the new neighborhood Walter's initial reaction is to take the offer. His family members chastise him for his submissive decision. His mother stands up for her son when Beneatha accuses him of no longer being a brother. "There is always something left to love. And if you ain't learned that, you ain't learned nothing" (pg.135). No matter what a family member is going through, there is always something to be attached to them by. When the man returns for Walter's final opinion, Walter fully realizes the importance of his decision. "Well, what I mean is that we come from people who had a lot of pride. I mean, we are very proud people" (pg.138). Walter finally stands up for himself and does not let his race dictate how he strives in life. The story ends with a message that no matter what race, gender, or any other quality you attribute yourself to, others can not choose your future for you based on those credentials.
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Maddy Fri
8/30/2015 10:05:34 am
I completely agree with Shane on this one! I was inspired by the change in Walter at the end of the story. I never expected him to behave the way he did compared to his behavior previously. Mama said something that really stood out to me and I believed it really shaped one of the many purposes of the story line, "'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'" (Hansberry 145). When someone is going through a hard time, even if they caused it themselves, that is when they need love most. This is a lesson that could be applied to everyone and something we all need a little practice with.
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Lucas Leslie
8/29/2015 10:44:02 pm
In the first seen of the book Ruth and Walter have a conversation in the kitchen while Travis gets ready for school. Neither on of them seems to be very happy because they argue and Walter keeps bringing up the fact he wants to invest the check into a small liquor store with his friends. "you see, this little liquor store we got in mind cost seventy-five thousand and we figured the initial investment on the place be 'bout thirty thousand, see. That be ten thousand each"(pg.138). Ruth keeps mentioning however that the money needs to be put towards what ever mama wants it to be put towards. They just keep arguing and arguing about how much they hate their current lives.
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Lucas Leslie
8/29/2015 11:00:07 pm
In the same scene Mama and Ruth start to tease Beneatha about her inability to start and finish things she starts. Which does not make sense to me because Beneatha seems like a nice girl who doesn't want to hurt anyone. Beneatha the tries to defend her self from all of the nonsense she is receiving. Then they start to praise George Beneatha's boyfriend because he is rich and they think that is the only reason why she should like them. Beneatha then gets upset and accidentally uses the Lord's name in vein which made Mama enraged."God hasn't got a thing to do with it"(pg.50). Using the Lords name in vein and upsetting mother.
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Lucas Leslie
8/29/2015 11:18:32 pm
In scene 2 Walter receives a phone call from his friend Willy Harris and Willy tells Walter that their plan is moving very smoothly. Walter tells Willy that he will have the money ready for him as soon as he gets the investment. which in my mind was the wrong choice because i believe Ruth is going to get mad at him and fights are going to let loose if he sends the investment check into the liquor store. And now Ruth is almost a quarter into her pregnancy and Mama is helping to relax her ill feeling. "Now just relax. That's right... just lean back, don't think 'bout nothing at all"(pg.60). Mama is going a great job in calming Ruth down.
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Lucas Leslie
8/29/2015 11:30:47 pm
In act 2 scene 2 it starts out the George and Beneatha returning from a date they had. Beneatha starts to act funny not wanting a kiss from George. All she wants to do is talk and George doesn't just want that. "Because this is stupid! I don't go out with you to discuss the nature of 'quiet desperation' or to hear all about your thoughts- because the world will go on thinking what it thinks regardless"(pg.96-97). It actually gets to the point where she kicked him out of the house. Mama notices she doesn't look right and sparks up a conversation with her. Mama fully understands where Beneatha is going and Beneatha is very pleased and appreciates Mama's support and understanding.
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Jamie Fortenbacher
8/31/2015 11:57:07 am
I was unbelievably pleased to see Mama giving Ruth her support when dealing with George, it showed tremendous growth on Mama's part. I have not yet been let down my Beneatha's strong will and passion to be who she wants to be. Unfortunately when I thought things where turning around for the family, Bobo arrives. I was so sad to see that Willy scammed them and that the younger's have lost the sixty-five hundred dollars. I truly feel bad for Walter because I do not see how Mama could ever forgive him, and I do not see how Walter could ever forgive himself. When "(Only Walter's sobs replied)" (pg. 129) I knew it was all over, for all of them. I hope that the Family's strong will will push them forward in forgiveness and help them rebuild their new life.
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Alyssa Lodes
8/30/2015 10:48:47 am
As Mama is carefully packing her plant Beneatha questions why she would want to bring “that raggedy-looking old thing,” (Page 121) to the home which is giving the Younger family a fresh start. Lena’s plant represents her old life and will be a daily reminder to continuously be thankful for all her family possesses, even if it is not much. Although the Younger family is not wanted in the Clybourne community Lena still holds on to her dream of buying a house for her family, but constantly looking back on her old life. Lena’s plant is the symbol of living out her dream of one day leaving the life of poverty.
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Alyssa Lodes
8/30/2015 12:57:05 pm
Walter’s personality changed unexpectedly throughout the play. At the end of the play Walter finds strength through his family, and it is obvious he finally realizes money is not more important than his family’s happiness. While reading I thought Walter was going to take the offer from Mr. Lindner and begin somewhere else; instead, Walter figured out his family's worth. As Shane stated, your dreams should not be dictated by any characteristic, including one’s race or gender. As Mama believed Walter finally “come into his manhood today...Kind of like a rainbow after rain” (Page 151). After all of the troubles the family has happiness and prosperity; Walter finally figured out who he was and his family can live somewhere they deserve to be without worrying about what they look like on the outside.
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Eliza Johnson
8/31/2015 01:14:33 am
I have noticed that Walter has many goals. His most obvious goal is to own a liquor store, but hidden inside that single goal includes the want to live like and among white men and earn respect from everyone he knows. From my perspective, the main idea of all of these goals is the want for authority. If Walter ends up owning the liquor store, he holds authority over his family’s income. By living in a world where he is living like a white man, he has authority over all other black men who are not as successful as he. By earning respect from everyone, he will automatically get the confirmation that the is an authoritative figure. Walter is very much like Beneatha in the way that they both want to change the way they are viewed by people. While Walter wants to be like “white boys [who] are sitting back and talking ‘bout things...sitting there turning deals worth millions of dollars”, Beneatha strives to become a doctor even though she is both black and a woman (Hansberry 74). Both these characters are struggling with reaching their goals and their hopes of success.
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William Krohn
8/31/2015 01:44:19 pm
That is an interesting take, Eliza. While reading, I thought Walter was ashamed of his race, or at least their modern incarnate. His exchange with George on pages 83 through 85, denotes his disdain for the black men college (almost superficially, too, with one of his main complaints being the way they dress). I thought it was too bad he could not have a little more pride for his "black brothers" he had just been calling to on page 79. Speaking of that, that scene of him dancing around with Bennie, if what he says there has any meaning, it appears to be him telling his brothers to be bigger and better than they are.
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Eliza Johnson
8/31/2015 01:17:29 am
The problem with sexism and racial discrimination comes up often for Beneatha. She is seeing two different men, Asagai and George, who view Beneatha in unique ways. When she is with Asagai, she is accused of taking part in “mutilation” and being “an assimilationist” (Hansberry 62 and 63). Asagai criticizes Beneatha because she is trying to look like a white person instead of staying true to her African heritage. George, on the other hand, accuses Beneatha of staying true to her heritage instead of looking the way she did before because “guys aren’t going to go for the atmosphere-- they’re going to go for what they see” (Hansberry 96). George does not care about Beneatha’s goals of becoming a successful woman because he only cares about her appearance. Both Asagai and George are similar because they both want her to look a certain way. I really hope Beneatha considers both characters and decides who, if anyone, would give her the most respect.
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William Krohn
8/31/2015 01:32:29 pm
Yes, Eliza, I totally agree with this. Both of the men in her life have these strong opinions of what Bennie should look and be like, as though either of them have any right or control over it. At this point I hope she thinks about what she wants instead of what other people are telling her she should or should not be. All of the characters around Bennie have clear internalized misogyny, in that they all think everything a woman should be and everything a woman does needs to be validated by men (specifically the men they are defined by; i.e. their husbands). The way on page 75 Lena lectures Walter about not having anything to say about Ruth's abortion, as if his stamp of approval or disapproval is necessary. Sure, Walter and Ruth are married, but Ruth holds all decision making powers about her body, even though no one seems to think so.
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Eliza Johnson
8/31/2015 10:14:57 am
The importance of family is a prominent piece in the last portion of this drama. Mama reminds Ruth that “there is always something left to love” (Hansberry 145). I really love this quote because it is relevant throughout the entire reading. The Younger family went through many hassles, yet each family member continued to care for one another. Mama is such an inspiring character because of her willingness to make her family happy. She fully supports her children and their goals and trusts them with everything. Because of her loving personality, the family looks up to her as an authoritative figure. From my perspective, the gifts she received from her family members are thank yous for all she has done for the family. Once Walter declared his family’s ownership over the new house, Mama realized that her family wanted her to be cared for, too. Now that Walter has become a “man”, she can allow her son to take on the the authoritative role.
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Maddy Fri
8/31/2015 11:22:38 am
I agree with Eliza! I definitely feel like it was a sense of relief for mama when Walter finally stepped up and claimed his "manhood". I think ever since her husband died she had felt the need to take control of the family. When she trusted Walter with the rest of the money, it was almost like a test. Mama wanted Walter to be ready to be the head of the family and giving him the money was a way for him to prove himself. She was very disappointed when he was careless with the money, but she was there to take care of him and support him nonetheless. That characteristic is something the head of the family needs to have. I think with Mama playing the role as head of the family was another example Hansberry used in promoting women and they're ability to do things. All the women in the Younger family were strong-willed and that is one of the many characteristics that made the play so great!
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Jared Cloutier
8/31/2015 11:24:41 am
I am now near the end of the story "A Raisin in the Sun" and I am very intrigued to finish reading. I agree with Eliza that Mama is looked up to as a figure of authority because of all that she has done to keep her family together, and I also agree that she does finally give Walter the responsibility of a man when she allows him to handle the money. Despite this, unfortunately, Walter loses this money and Mama is justifiably outraged, saying, "I seen him grow thin and old before he was forty...working and working and working like somebody's old horse...killing himself...and you-you give it all away in a day," referring to the work that her husband did while he was still alive (Hansberry 129). This part of the story is the second time that we see Mama use physical discipline, and I think it is a great example of the fact that sometimes love has to be tough. I am sad for the Youngers that their money is gone, and I really hope that Walter finds a way to make the loss up to his family as I finish reading.
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Jamie Fortenbacher
8/31/2015 01:22:01 pm
After finishing "A Raisin in the Sun" I am pleasantly satisfied with how everything was wrapped up. I completely agree with Eliza and Maddy, and was glad to see Walter claim his "manhood" and keep the house. Even through the numerous ups and downs the family faced, they stayed just that, a family. In the end they stuck to what they knew. They kept their pride in who they are and didn't allow themselves to be pushed around by others. I saw the common saying "actions speak louder than words" shine through at the very end. Everyone had left and Mama was alone in the apartment, she looks around, leaves but then "(comes back in, grabs her plant, and goes out for the last time)" (pg.151). She is happy to leave and move on but will not forget about everything that has shaped her life, which is encompassed in the plant. The plant was all the hardship she had to endure and all the love she received. All in all though, this was a fantastic read!
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