A Raisin in the Sun: Beneatha's Dreams

A detailed Summary of A Raisin in the Sun: Beneatha's Dreams


Hansberry's play "A Raisin in the Sun" is the story of the Youngers, a poor African- American family in the 1940s. All of the Youngers have important dreams that they wish to realize but due to their economic status and the abundant racism of the time, and they are forced to put aside these dreams. However, due to the insurance money from "Big Walter"'s death, they have a chance to overcome these obstacles and achieve their dreams. Beneatha is a good example of a character whose dreams have been deferred. Beneatha dreams of being a doctor and throughout the play, struggles to determine her identity as a well-educated black woman.

Beneatha is a collage student and is obviously the best educated member of the Younger family. Her education is very important to her and she hopes to one day become a doctor. Beneatha believes in education as a means to unde


Beneatha also dreamed of overcoming not only the prejudice against blacks, but also the prejudice against women. In the 1940s, it was common belief that a woman's place was at home and it was very rare for any woman to become a doctor. Even Walter suggests that she become a nurse, a traditionally woman's job, instead. Beneatha was an early feminist and did not take the traditionally submissive role of a woman. Instead, she spoke up against anything she perceived as an injustice. She became particularly passionate about freeing the Africans from French and English colonizers after talking to Asagai.

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Another major dream that Beneatha wants is to have her own identity. In the play she does this by trying to gain a better grasp on her cultural identity as an African-American. The r

Some common words found in the essay are:
African- American, African Beneatha, Raisin Sun, Beneatha Asagai, French English, own identity, , play raisin sun, well-educated black woman, raisin sun, well-educated black, black woman, money beneatha, play raisin,

Approximate Word count = 577
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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