A Raisin in the Sun
by Lorraine Hansberry
Symbolism
A prominent and recurring symbol in A Raisin in the Sun is Mama’s plant. The plant being mentioned at
both the beginning and the very end of A
Raisin in the Sun reveals that it is an important symbol in Hansberry’s
piece. For example, “The door opens and she comes back in, grabs her plant, and
goes out for the last time,” (Hansberry, 535). In their small and run-down home
in the Chicago Southside, the Younger family has only one window and one plant.
The plant hardly gets any sunlight and struggles for life. Mama has a dream of
owning a real home and not living in a building. Moreover, in her dream home,
she must have a garden to keep up and take pride in. The plant symbolizes Mama’s
dream to move out of the run-down house that oppresses a negative and unhappy
mood upon the Younger family. The small light that shines upon it through their
tiny window represents the small window of opportunity for only one of the
Younger’s dreams to come true. When the Younger family decides to move into the
house at the end of A Raisin in the Sun
Mama takes the plant with her. This action symbolizes her finally finding a
better life for her family and fulfilling her dream. Mama will be able to
garden in piece and allow her family to live in a happy and upbeat home.
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