Analysis
Ian Dinda
Mrs. DeSanto
5-24-13
Block 1
A Raisin in the Refrigerator
In his literary criticism, James Tackach considers the economy of 1950s America, and how it impacts the plot of “A Raisin in the Sun.” “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry follows two African American families, the Younger’s, and the Murchison’s, as they struggle to make the most of what they have. The families seem forever trapped in their appalling Chicago Tenement, where they suffer in squalor, and low economic status. However, because of the economic boom in the 50s, the Youngers are able to experience greater social mobility, which leads them to embrace the early civil rights movement. Along the way, the Younger’s begin to abide by the ideals of Booker T. Washington, as they come to realize that economic equality will bring about civil rights for African Americans. Hansberry argues that economic equality will eventually bring about civil rights for African Americans, though the movement will suffer faults along the way.
In his article, James Tackach argues that economics shapes the plot of the play because the Youngers are given a chance for social mobility. The plot of the play is exceedingly realistic because African Americans achieved greater social mobility after World War 2 because America’s economy was booming, and jobs were readily available. This makes the desires of the Youngers both attainable and realistic, but despite this the family receives opposition from mainstream white society. Karl Lindner’s attempts to bribe the Youngers represent the persistent of white supremacists, who sought to keep African Americans lower on the social ladder. These details show Hansberry’s theme that economic equality will bring about civil rights for African Americans.
James Tackach builds his argument around the idea that economics shape the plot of A Raisin in the Sun, and this makes sense because the Youngers are constantly trying to obtain the stereotypical American Dream of the post- World War 2 era. Mid-way through the play, the Youngers are beckoned by the haven of Suburbia, where everyone has a white picket fence, and a plot of land to call their own. This “American Dream” was seen by white Americans as the social norm, and the Youngers have violated the status quo by attempting to conform into American culture. Lindner stands firm, and asserts the desires of white supremacists, by opposing the assimilation of African Americans into American culture. However, the Youngers sniff out Lindner’s attempt, and decide that they need to take a stand for their rights, and buy the house. Lindner fails, and the Youngers press onward under the guiding principles of Booker T. Washington, a civil rights activist who preached economic equality for African Americans. Unlike most civil rights activists, Booker T’s civil rights policy involved gaining economic equality, which in turn would lead to political and social equality. Booker’s philosophy was based around the idea that economic equality would make African American’s more prominent in society, which would prompt the United States government to establish a civil rights agenda. Mama in particular, is shown embracing his policies, by encouraging the family move into the suburban white community. By achieving greater social status, the Youngers have paved the way for the integration of the suburbs. The Youngers have began a movement by following Booker T’s ideas and moving up in society. By moving up the social ladder, the Youngers have made themselves more prominent in society, and social prominence will eventually lead to civil rights for African Americans. This directly shows the influence of economics, as the Youngers are affirming their civil rights through the purchase of property.
“A Raisin in the Sun” marks a turning point for African Americans because it marks the assimilation of African Americans into suburbia. The stubbornness of the family prevails by forcing Lindner to back down, but the Youngers have yet to face the challenges of racist individuals within the suburban community. They have made it to the mountain that they have yet to climb, and it will take many years to reach the peak. However, the fact that someone is willing to climb the mountain, is a step for American society. By climbing the mountain, they have proven themselves as equals within the community, and society will be willing to accept their kind into American culture because they too, are America. The reader gets the impression that the family will reach the mountain’s top, with the help of strong willed people like Mama. In the last words of the novel, Mama expresses they have reached the mountains peak, and she exclaims, “I be down directly” (Hansberry 151).
Works Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage, 1994. Print.
Tackach, James. Thesis. N.d. Chicago, Illinois: Salem, n.d. EBSCOhost. Web. 25 May 2013.
Mrs. DeSanto
5-24-13
Block 1
A Raisin in the Refrigerator
In his literary criticism, James Tackach considers the economy of 1950s America, and how it impacts the plot of “A Raisin in the Sun.” “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry follows two African American families, the Younger’s, and the Murchison’s, as they struggle to make the most of what they have. The families seem forever trapped in their appalling Chicago Tenement, where they suffer in squalor, and low economic status. However, because of the economic boom in the 50s, the Youngers are able to experience greater social mobility, which leads them to embrace the early civil rights movement. Along the way, the Younger’s begin to abide by the ideals of Booker T. Washington, as they come to realize that economic equality will bring about civil rights for African Americans. Hansberry argues that economic equality will eventually bring about civil rights for African Americans, though the movement will suffer faults along the way.
In his article, James Tackach argues that economics shapes the plot of the play because the Youngers are given a chance for social mobility. The plot of the play is exceedingly realistic because African Americans achieved greater social mobility after World War 2 because America’s economy was booming, and jobs were readily available. This makes the desires of the Youngers both attainable and realistic, but despite this the family receives opposition from mainstream white society. Karl Lindner’s attempts to bribe the Youngers represent the persistent of white supremacists, who sought to keep African Americans lower on the social ladder. These details show Hansberry’s theme that economic equality will bring about civil rights for African Americans.
James Tackach builds his argument around the idea that economics shape the plot of A Raisin in the Sun, and this makes sense because the Youngers are constantly trying to obtain the stereotypical American Dream of the post- World War 2 era. Mid-way through the play, the Youngers are beckoned by the haven of Suburbia, where everyone has a white picket fence, and a plot of land to call their own. This “American Dream” was seen by white Americans as the social norm, and the Youngers have violated the status quo by attempting to conform into American culture. Lindner stands firm, and asserts the desires of white supremacists, by opposing the assimilation of African Americans into American culture. However, the Youngers sniff out Lindner’s attempt, and decide that they need to take a stand for their rights, and buy the house. Lindner fails, and the Youngers press onward under the guiding principles of Booker T. Washington, a civil rights activist who preached economic equality for African Americans. Unlike most civil rights activists, Booker T’s civil rights policy involved gaining economic equality, which in turn would lead to political and social equality. Booker’s philosophy was based around the idea that economic equality would make African American’s more prominent in society, which would prompt the United States government to establish a civil rights agenda. Mama in particular, is shown embracing his policies, by encouraging the family move into the suburban white community. By achieving greater social status, the Youngers have paved the way for the integration of the suburbs. The Youngers have began a movement by following Booker T’s ideas and moving up in society. By moving up the social ladder, the Youngers have made themselves more prominent in society, and social prominence will eventually lead to civil rights for African Americans. This directly shows the influence of economics, as the Youngers are affirming their civil rights through the purchase of property.
“A Raisin in the Sun” marks a turning point for African Americans because it marks the assimilation of African Americans into suburbia. The stubbornness of the family prevails by forcing Lindner to back down, but the Youngers have yet to face the challenges of racist individuals within the suburban community. They have made it to the mountain that they have yet to climb, and it will take many years to reach the peak. However, the fact that someone is willing to climb the mountain, is a step for American society. By climbing the mountain, they have proven themselves as equals within the community, and society will be willing to accept their kind into American culture because they too, are America. The reader gets the impression that the family will reach the mountain’s top, with the help of strong willed people like Mama. In the last words of the novel, Mama expresses they have reached the mountains peak, and she exclaims, “I be down directly” (Hansberry 151).
Works Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage, 1994. Print.
Tackach, James. Thesis. N.d. Chicago, Illinois: Salem, n.d. EBSCOhost. Web. 25 May 2013.