A Raisin in the Sun: Post #4

After reading this play, I say that it represents so much about society. Like the Youngers, people endure similar hardships every day, especially during this economic crisis. As the stock market slowly declines, families struggles to scrounge up enough money for food for the week, yet alone electricity and heating. Then, when the world is about to collapse on you, a miracle occurs; you find hope with what little you have and try to make something better of it with the opportunity. But, then, you can fall back into the same slump as you were in before, gaining a sense of understanding. To me, A Raisin in the Sun depicts the various cycles of a family in a plethora of ways: socially, emotionally, and economically.

The play also sends a message about racism, representing the struggles African Americans had to deal with in the past, even when it involves the simplest of needs like shelter. But, A Raisin in the Sun leaves the family more knowledgeable, prepared to face the future. It represented hope and progress for future generations so they wouldn’t have to deal with such injustice, what the Younger family went through.

As a reader, I honestly don’t see the future of the Youngers being particularly bright. Despite the fact that they will be living in a big, new home, they will still be quite poor. However, perhaps the cycle they have endured will continue on, and they will find a new sense of prosperity.

A Raisin in the Sun: Post #3

Okay, Walter’s risk fell through the roof; Beneatha has no money for medical school, and Walter has nothing to start any kind of business on his own. When a family is in a desperate situation, I believe that they need to think more strategically, which is why I oppose the Youngers’ decision to turn down Mr. Linder’s offer. It seems ludicrous to me.

Because of the risky decision Walter made of investing all of money Mama gave him, Walter now has to pay for new living accommodations for a family of six with the income he receives as a measly chauffeur. In a city, where everything is generally more expensive, I can see the Younger family barely living paycheck to paycheck with such a low income. So, with that idea in mind, I think it’s a great idea to bargain with Mr. Linder to get a nice sum of money for that house; the family isn’t happy with the idea of selling their pride. The all-white community better show their prejudice through their deep pockets.

Now, I do admire the ethics that the Younger family possesses, but to pass up such a business opportunity where they have the advantage is silly; they might be able to get double the amount of much cash as what they originally paid for the house. That money could’ve been used for school, a new home, and a business. The family just threw that away.

A Raisin in the Sun: Post #2

Considering the fact that the play takes place in the 1950s, Walter is having an extremely difficult time with his life. During this time period, he is supposed to be the one who brings food to the table and provides for the family, but look at the state he’s in now. His family doesn’t acknowledge his opinion on what they should do with the money; nobody is taking him seriously. In frustration, Walter vents by getting drunk, where, for once, he is at peace and forgets about his problems, about the new baby, and about the excuse of a job where he “opens and closes car doors all day long” ( 73). Something has to change in the Younger family, something that’ll make everyone happy.

Within the play, that something does happen. Mama splits the money into three shares, allowing the family to buy a house and redeem Walter’s masculinity. I feel that the decision Mama made was a excellent one; she made everyone in the family happy. Not only can they move into a bigger house, but Beneatha will have some money for school, and Walter will have some cash for the proposed business. It gives each individual family member to better themselves.

However, if I was Mama, I would’ve invested it all into the liquor store business; if it succeeded, it would create a reasonably large amount of income for the Youngers. And, considering the situation that they’re in, I’d take a risk and at least try to make my family’s life substantially better for them so one day, I could buy my wife “a Cadlillac convertible” and have a gardener (109). If the outcomes outweigh the consequences, I would risk my family’s finances in hopes of economic success. Many people do that here in Delaware, so why shouldn’t I?

Either way, it is starting to look as if the family is reunifying in the play and are attempting to establish a better living for themselves. I can only hope for the best.

A Raisin in the Sun: Post #1

Since the sixth grade, I’ve always dreamed about living in a city, where I would be surrounded by skyscrapers and bump elbows with pedestrians on a daily basis. The “Big Apple” offers more to me than the steep hills of Connecticut, with its fancy restaurants and attractions. But, as I’ve grown older, I am realizing that city housing isn’t anything compared to where I currently live; a person pays a lot for a little. This might be manageable when one is single, but what if he/she has a family? The play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Loraine Hansberry, depicts this type of living.

The Younger family consists of five members: Ruth, Walter, Travis, Beneatha, and Mama. They all live in a “rat trap” of an apartment, where the furniture have “had to accommodate the living of too many people for too many years” (23, 44). They barely have any space for themselves; some of them even share rooms together due to the size accommodations. It explains the saying, “If you can live in New York, you can live anywhere” because if one can endure living as a family in a run-down home, then one can endure any kind of living arrangement. This aspect of the story almost makes me reconsider living in a city.

On top of the poor living arrangements, the Youngers are also dealing with financial difficulties. Walter, being the man in the house, wants to start a liquor store in the neighborhood with the insurance check Mama received for Papa’s death, but the family is disputing over its use. In addition, Walter and Ruth have no respect towards each other, arguing over the dollar Travis received for school and “some fruit today” while they don’t listen to each other (31). When Walter asks for his eggs to not be scrambled, Ruth scrambles them anyway. The family, the apartment, and the finances are causing havoc on the Youngers.

The Glass Menagerie: Post #2

I’m sorry, my fellow bloggers, but you’ll have to excuse me. It’s about three in the morning, and I’m almost becoming slightly hysterical, but I’m going through déjà vu; The Glass Menagerie is not as different from A Raisin in the Sun as I had previously thought.

For example, take Tom; like Walter, he is also the main provider for his family, but he struggles financially as well, frustrated with the crummy job which he endures on a daily basis. He vents by constantly going to the movies, kind of like how Walter would go and drink his problems away. For Tom, a few hours at the theater calms his nerves and makes his life a little easier.

Then, the reader also notices the single woman in the play, Laura. Like Beneatha, she is trying to find a suitable man for herself, although it doesn’t seem to be as much of an importance to Laura as it is to Beneatha. She is supposed to be seeing a gentlemen caller soon, only who makes more money than Tom does, a trait slightly reminiscent of George. But, the catch is that the caller, James, has no idea he’s being deceived by a mother and his son.

I’m barely awake, and I still can tell that this play is terrific and filled with suspense. I wonder if this book is a clone of A Raisin in the Sun for a reason or not; the variety of similarities between the two works is quite unusual.

The Glass Menagerie: Post #1

This play is relatively similar to the Raisin in the Sun; both of them take place in cities, involve a daughter in need of an education, and a family struggling for money. However, in this situation, Laura, has decided to give up her education at the business school because she became easily nervous, even vomiting. Now, her mother, Amanda, is pushing her to find herself a husband to rely upon. Oh, the words Beneatha would say to the family.

I also noticed the differences in the environments. The housing arrangements seem to be more elegant, while their food is more divine. Unlike the Youngers, who barely have anything to eat, this family has food which “has lots of delicate flavors that have to be held in the mouth for appreciation” (146). Amanda even brings out a tray of dessert for the dining table.

The two plays a vaguely similar, but are vastly different. I wonder if they’re more similar that to what meets the eye.

Twilight Post #4

To be blunt and clear, Stephenie Meyer has written a good book, and although while some might not care for it, many do, including myself. As a matter of fact, I’m already reading the third book in the series. Originally, I thought that the negative hype was justified for the story, but the characters seem to grow on you; the reader can relate to them. It reminds of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series because of this attribute; they’re both focused of magic and adolescence. Both authors’ works have different plots, but as a reader, I’ve been able to connect to both authors’ novels.

However, with Twilight, the plot is too predictable. Unless the reader is sheltered from the media, so much about the book is being leaked out through the Internet and by other readers, talking about it to many. Unlike the Harry Potter series, Stephenie Meyer’s novels seem to have hit the public eye in a more prompt fashion, leading to merchandising, etc. Perhaps along with the romantic emphasis in the series, is why some people detest Twilight; they’re tired of hearing about it, and they’d rather read a book with a plot they know less about.

Either way, Twilight is an addictive read, and I do suggest that people pick it up and read it. It’s not as bad as it seems, and it’s quite good for you too.