Symbolism: A Raisin in the sun
The wilted and dying plant or flower represents Mama's past struggles with the racist society, her family, money, and more. In the story, Beneatha asked Mama why she was taking that "raggedy-looking old thing" to the new house, and Mama replied, "It expresses ME!" Since the flower was dying and its health condition was deteriorating, it resembles Mama and her family, and how they were slowly falling apart (their relationships were worsening).
The check that the Younger family receives in this story symbolizes hope for their "American Dream." With money, they have the capability of buying many things, giving the family a greater sense of freedom and opportunity. The Youngers got extremely excited and anxious about receiving the check, for the money that they would gain from it was their hope to achieving their dream of a free, diverse, and anti-segregated society. In the story, it states, " Travis bursts back into the room. He holds the envelope high above his head, like a little dancer, his face is radiant and he is breathless. He moves to his grandmother with sudden slow ceremony and puts the envelope into her hands."
Beneatha's traditional American American hair-style symbolizes confidence and originality. Every other black woman in that particular time period had longer hair that was treated so that it would be "calm" or "tamed." But Bennie went against the crowd and cut her hair short, letting it be natural.In the text, once Ruth witnesses Beneatha's untreated hair, she says, "Girl, you done lost your natural mind!? Look at your head!" Also, when George first looks at it, he says, "What have you done to your head- I mean your hair!" Her hair is therefore a metaphor for confidence or not being scared from differentiating yourself from the rest of people.
The check that the Younger family receives in this story symbolizes hope for their "American Dream." With money, they have the capability of buying many things, giving the family a greater sense of freedom and opportunity. The Youngers got extremely excited and anxious about receiving the check, for the money that they would gain from it was their hope to achieving their dream of a free, diverse, and anti-segregated society. In the story, it states, " Travis bursts back into the room. He holds the envelope high above his head, like a little dancer, his face is radiant and he is breathless. He moves to his grandmother with sudden slow ceremony and puts the envelope into her hands."
Beneatha's traditional American American hair-style symbolizes confidence and originality. Every other black woman in that particular time period had longer hair that was treated so that it would be "calm" or "tamed." But Bennie went against the crowd and cut her hair short, letting it be natural.In the text, once Ruth witnesses Beneatha's untreated hair, she says, "Girl, you done lost your natural mind!? Look at your head!" Also, when George first looks at it, he says, "What have you done to your head- I mean your hair!" Her hair is therefore a metaphor for confidence or not being scared from differentiating yourself from the rest of people.