"A Raisin in the Sun" RR

 

Melicia Bharioo

EN 102

Professor Corona

November 14, 2014

 

“A Raisin in the Sun” – Reading Response Question:

Choose a character from the play, A Raisin in the Sun, and create a character map of sorts. Describe this character and his/her significance in the play. What do they dream of having? Why did you choose to discuss this character? What about their personality and presence in the play spoke to you as a reader?

 

In the play “A Raisin in the Sun” the character that pulled me in to focus more was Beneatha, a twenty year old young girl who is the sister of Walter Lee, and daughter to Lena. She is an intelligent girl who doesn’t take nonsense from anyone. Beneatha also known as “Bennie” studies to become a doctor one day. Her schooling is important to everyone in the family who is making the sacrifice for her to continue her studies in medical school. Her mother Lena is getting back insurance money, which is a huge relief for everyone. Bennie gets the benefit out of it mostly for her school and I think it’s a good thing her mother is doing. Bennie is a down to earth young girl who lives in a modern society where she understands language of the present time. She expresses the way she feels towards any sort of topic in life. I sense that Beneatha holds the foundation for the family because she is intelligent and very determined. She can help the family to get out of where they are now living which is a very small apartment and not much to live on more of living from pay check to pay check. Beneatha is a type of girl that likes to take risk in trying everything, such as taking guitar lessons. Whereas, she is currently studying to be a doctor and to just live her life as it comes to her. She doesn’t look at marriage as something important in her life and believes her achievement and struggles are from herself and no one else. This may sound selfish, but I find it to be true even though others are making the sacrifice as well because she is the one that needs to put her mind to get it done. I choose Beneatha because she is strong and determined. She likes to experiment different things and with this she can be anything she want to be rather than just depending on one idea. This set a wide open for the family in a way that she can help them to be lifted up and live like the “rich” people they speak of. Beneatha personality set an example to everyone of the kind of person she intends to be. She is a little selfish, but living in such poverty selfishness can raise you to the top. Her presence is more important in the play and is mentioned more throughout the play because of her dreams and goals, this is why I believe she hold the key to the family happiness and prosperity.