ENG 102: Feminism, Beneatha, and A Raisin in the Sun Analysis

This essay examines the theme of feminism in Lorraine Hansberry's 'A Raisin in the Sun,' focusing on the character of Beneatha Younger and her aspirations in the context of 1950s-1960s America. It argues that Beneatha's ambition to become a doctor, her rejection of traditional gender roles, and her ...Read More

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The Theme of Feminism
“A Raisin in the Sun” is an illustrative rise of a controversial female character that
mitigates all the myths and obstacles that was faced at different times by the woman due to their
behavior and perseverance. In between the 1950s to 1960s, the rise had shown its flamboyant
nature and established the right of women that reflected through the writing of Lorraine
Hansberry (Hansberry 11-12). It was basically a play and it was written by an African-American
woman, though this kind of thing is first addressed in those times so people were quite amazed -
rather they became more and more curious to see that Play. Thereafter the masterpiece of
feminism and providing light to woman culture and their dream started through the book
(Dicker, Rory 52-61). In this paper, the thesis statement of the essay highlights reaches of
feminism and different approaches to become judgmental in case of woman dream and desire.
Beneatha is the younger daughter of Lena and the girl was high in ambition. Ambition in
a girl was not accepted in those times; rather they were more traditional and kept quiet in all the
time as the society was dominated by the men only (Luke, Carmen and Jennifer 110-114). The
myth of men organized society or to state their words as the verdict was confronted by the arrival
of Beneatha, the girl had dreamt of a doctor and for this reason, the girl wanted to study and not
to get married like others (Hansberry 58). The thinking of that girl was quite different from other
girls and implementation of that thinking was delivered through the action. In the 1950s, the
female characters’ are a stereotype and in between America they express themselves but that not
showcased their desire, dream of anything related extravaganza. However, Beneatha is
independent, radical and had a good thought about the society and surroundings (Hansberry 3).
Beneatha knew that dream of desire that embedded by her was the longing of every girl but they
couldn’t help as they had to become the slave to any man (Taylor, Carol and Gabrielle 59-63).

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The problem arose in that situation when the judgmental behavior was presented by
Beneatha. Decisions were taken by the family. Walter, brother of Beneatha showed
disappointment towards Beneatha as she wanted to become a doctor, not nurse. The generation
and their complex mindset were liable for this; they couldn’t even think that a woman can rise in
such order that created an embarrassing situation for men. All the powerful and elegant positions
were acquired by the males as the social structure was male-dominated. But the improvement of
the situation will arise through emerging of this kind of character. A play, a story, a thought and
a belief can change the entire scenario and woman can understand their power and argue with the
society so that they gain their authentic position in society and can be a part of the ambitious and
independent world (Scott et al. 68-67).
The paper considerably believe that Beneatha was a feminist, not in term of maintaining
the ethics of feminism, nor being judgmental of making unruly politics against male, but the way
she determined the dream of a doctor was the establishment of female attitude to the society
(Basu, Amrita 45). All the description clearly supports the fact of feminism in between Beneatha,
the way of feminism and the effective approach of this, which is not at all productive for male-
dominated society. Thus, a conflicted situation will come in that scenario to nullify the power of
feminism. The typical norms are imposed on the female and still keep quiet in that situation.
They had an external life; their expectations and desire were not allowed from society. The
evaluation of difference had been seen after few years when women were treated as the same
stable level with men and they could dream and aspire in that session (Humm, Maggie 145-152).
But in the 1960s, the mental suffering and criticism faced by Beneatha were immeasurable
(Hansberry 65-71). The nature of manhood and the independence of woman is the main
establishment that persists in the dream of women and provides them a space in society.

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Beneatha symbolizes the courage, establishment, dream, desire, aspiration, and way of light and
becomes an ideal figure for women. Beneatha desired for a doctor in that play, nourishment of
abstract idea “feminism” has come on that very point when the over-ambiguous desire from a
woman comes in that play (Pratt, Geraldine and Victoria 105-125). The confronting situation
also was raised when her brother opposed to the fact, disagreed and deliberately asked her to
marry someone and keep quiet. The momentum of enthusiasm and support for the favor of
female had not come in that very situation, rather mechanical and scripted reactions from people
had come that symbolized the feminism truth and obligatory manner.
“A Raisin in the Sun is regarded as one of the best artistic explorations of the life and struggles
of everyday African-American people (Hansberry 4).”
The exploration of life, exploration of sexual proximity or leveling the conflict between
women and man and their feeling is the important aspect that was showcased through the book or
the play. The incident of the haircut was just and volatile outburst of desire and that is the reason
she cuts off in a cropped fashion which was also delivering a threat to social outburst and
showing people that fashion statement of the leading style of life is completely an expressing
manner of own decision. No one can intersect the maturity or questioning about the matter of her
own style, the desire of life leading is also highlighting the feminism issue and breaking the
traditional pathway in which male-dominated women were imposed on for years (McNay, Lois
102-107). The society and its barrier came year after year in different form, it comes in terms of
passion, desire, dress, strengths, position, view, sense and profession and all those times women
are on the addressing side and male provide them verdict if they are enabled to do this thing or
not. This is the main concern of this paper to justify their thought and criticizing them at the top
notch and then understand the importance of their sustainability in society.

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Beneatha’s opinion of her rationalized worldview highlights her exclusive brand of
power, perhaps also allocating as an indirect countenance of Hansberry’s specific attitudes. The
self-worth system and views on marriage are different in that segment also but the convictions in
both the cases are not fruitful. Beneatha mindset was important in that as she senses “manhood”
in a different angle and delivers the best result for the eventual decision-making. Women are not
their slaves nor they were treated like this, this was the concerned establishment that confines the
territory of thinking that Beneatha thought in her mind and want that all other women also think
in that same style or manner so that effective change will come. “Feminism” is the not the
attitude that showed by women rather it was the fundamental right that women possess and they
do not need any permission to live that life (Swirsky, Jill and Angelone 109-110). Thus a
functional and courageous statement has been stated in this book by this African-American
woman, who fought for her dream, fought for the entire womankind so that in future they can
stand and claim for their authority and men have to listen to their statement, understand this and
then contempt any verdict for any side.
Therefore all the discussions arguably stretch the importance of feminism and their desire
for seeking the establishment that comes of their individualism. The dream of a doctor,
neglecting marriage and state the fashion statement is highlighting the fact of courageous
establishment for feminism for claiming their position in the society.

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References
Basu, Amrita. Women's movements in the global era: The power of local feminisms. Hachette
UK, 2016.
Dicker, Rory C. A history of US feminisms. Hachette UK, 2016.
Hansberry, Lorraine. A raisin in the sun. Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, 2007.
Humm, Maggie. Feminisms: a reader. Routledge, 2014.
Luke, Carmen, and Jennifer Gore. Feminisms and critical pedagogy. Routledge, 2014.
McNay, Lois. Foucault and feminism: Power, gender and the self. John Wiley & Sons, 2013.
Pratt, Geraldine, and Victoria Rosner, eds. The global and the intimate: feminism in our time.
Columbia University Press, 2012.
Scott, Joan W., Cora Kaplan, and Debra Keates, eds. Transitions Environments Translations:
Feminisms in International Politics. Routledge, 2013.
Swirsky, Jill M., and D. J. Angelone. "Femi-nazis and bra burning crazies: A qualitative
evaluation of contemporary beliefs about feminism." Current Psychology 33.3 (2014): 229-245.
Taylor, Carol A., and Gabrielle Ivinson. "Material feminisms: New directions for education."
(2013): 665-670.