Here we are; final act of this play. I hope you were able to read my blog post about Lorraine Hansberry. I believe it helps us understand the depth of understanding Hansberry had on the issues she touched upon in her work, A Raisin In The Sun. Lorraine Hansberry wrote this play out of pain, experience, and hope for a better tomorrow. Her purpose was defined and she went to work with this play. In this final act we see how the story of the Youngers' end. I will discuss my takeaways from this work, some important themes in the play, and why this play is very relevant today, here, and now.
In the beginning of this act the mood in the Youngers' home is very dull and spiritless. Asagai shows up at the door, jolly and naïve to what has happened. He asks Beneatha to go with him back to Africa and encourages her to hang onto any remaining faith. Walter leaves and returns, only to announce that he is going to put on a show for The Man. Walter had called Karl Lindner back to accept the offer. Beneatha expresses her disgust for her brother. Surprisingly, Mama stands up for her son, saying that just when people seem to deserve compassion the least is when they need it the most. Karl arrives, and Walter struggles to form sentences. After a lot of stammering, Walter rejects the offer.
Everyone (except Lindner) breathes out a collective sigh of relief. With that, moving day is back on. The apartment is bustling once more with life, with Beneatha and Walter arguing over whom she should marry. Ruth and Mama share a maternal moment, glowing with pride from Walter’s strong stand. Mama has a last moment to herself in the apartment, then takes the plant and goes downstairs. The End!!
This work just hit home for me. I'm a man with big audacious goals and dreams and I can't help but to imagined what's going through Walter's mind when all of his dreams and aspirations seemingly looks like they are gone forever. Walter had to choose between his vision and identity. Today, that's a decision many in society do not have to make. But, I must tell you, there are still people having to make that very decision every single day. This play was put on decades ago and to think that issues that were prevalent then, is very much still circulating amongst us now is very troubling. As a society, we seem to have been able to advance technologically, and scientifically. However, it seems as though with all of our efforts, we haven't quite advanced socially. The issue of social injustices is one that continues to plague nations around the globe. Society and environmental circumstances hindered Walter and his family from living their dreams and it is still stopping individuals and families today from fulfilling their dreams. In this play, several subjects are touched upon when I cannot all discuss because it will take forever. However, some important subjects to keep in mind when reading or viewing A Raisin In The Sun include but are not limited to identity, family, males, decisions, racism, discrimination, injustice, dreams, reality, hardship, fatherhood, power, mediocrity, life, friends, and marriage. I wish I can elaborate more on these subjects but we must move on. If I get an opportunity to make a blog post in the near future, I will be glad to discuss this further.
Until Next Time
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