Quantavius Thornwell
Kimberly Covington
English 101
10-15-14

The Diverse Symbolism in “A Raisin in the Sun” Symbolism is a powerful tool. Throughout the play “A Raisin in the Sun” multiple types of symbolism are clearly shown. Lorraine Hansberry did a wonderful job of allowing the different types of symbols to be seen. She used symbols through people and objects to get certain points across. She is smart in her use of symbolism because she is able to get a feeling of the time period in which they are in, from certain objects that represent something else. The use of symbolism is very important and it helps the reader get a more detail sense of the issue, problem, or event that is occurring. The first use of symbolism is the plant in which Mama takes care of. The plant represents many things but the most obvious example is that the plant represents the family. Mama knows if she continues to deep nurture and care for the plant then the plant will survive through the living condition it is in. “Lord, if this little old plant don’t get more sun than it’s been getting it ain’t never going to see spring again.” In this quote, Mama explains that the plant is dying because the sun is not shining on it and no sun is shining on the Younger family either. She never gives up on the plant and puts great hope and care towards it. The way she treats the plant is the same way she treats here family in their fragile and rough living condition they are surviving in. At the end when all of her family is leaving for the new house, she took the plant instead of leaving it behind because she knows that with a better living condition the plant with thrive and blossom more just as how her family is willing to do in the new house. The second form of symbolism in this play is Beneatha and her quest to find out who she is. This symbolizes the way in which she is finding someone or something else to blame for their misery. She believes that because we are forced into this land. She also explains to her family in the play that all their problems will be solved if they go back to their country of origin and find out who they are there. “You’re looking at what a well dressed Nigerian woman wears…Enough with all this assimilation junk”. In this quote it explains that Beneatha has gone away from her belief that the only thing that matters in the world is getting rich. It’s important because it shows the way Beneatha acts towards her family, instead of blaming them, because she knows that will get her nowhere. The last form of symbolism is the burden of money. Throughout the play the subject of money plays a very important role in their lives. From Walter’s point of view, money symbolizes a ticket. They only way to have a name in society or have some importance is to have this “ticket”. Without it you are rejected and a outcast. This “ticket” is driving Walter to the point of insanity. “Mama, something is happening between Walter and me. I don’t know what it is but he needs something. Something I can’t give him anymore. He needs this chance, Lena”. In this quote, Ruth is asking Mama on Walter’s behalf to give him the money. Mama still hesitant about giving him the money but she finally gives in and gives him the money. In conclusion, there are many types of symbolism in “A Raisin in the Sun”, from starting off with the subject of money which is carried on throughout the play and then to Mama’s plant which is important in symbolizing the family and her role in their life. Finally, the subject of Beneatha’s idea of assimilation and her way to deal with the wrath of her family caused by her decision to go find and explore more about their past. All of these different symbols played a major part of what made “A Raisin in the Sun” so well known and memorable play for a long time.

Works Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Literature for Composition. Ed. Sylvan Barnet, William E. Cain, and William Burto. 10th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2014. 1155-1208. Print.