In A Raisin in the Sun byLorraine Hansberry Essay Example

In life people often look at art and literature to express our thoughts about our lives, or through the lives of others about society. During the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes used writing to express his feelings and struggles about racism and how he hopes society grows so children will grow up in America more equal. Unfortunately, there are still struggles in modern day society with racism, that Hughes would be disappointed in. In A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry borrows Hughes imagery to present deferred dreams through the Younger Family, as they struggle to obtain their dreams due to the color of their skin. Likewise, In Flygirl Sherri Smith creates characters who must accept their color, and do things they enjoy in life no matter what anyone else thinks. Besides presenting feelings through a fictional character's life, the author uses literature to display how things we can not control affects our daily lives, and how it should be equal, which society greatly judges.     

Literature expresses that the world is constantly changing but people must choose their life, and not let the world choose theirs. In A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry communicates that people should be able to choose their life, when a representative of the Clybourne Park association comes and tells them they should not move into their house, which impacts the Younger Family because in this situation they are bullying them to leave because of the color of their skin. Mr. Linder tries to take away there freedom by saying “It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro familes are happier when they live in their own communites”(2.3.90-91). In life people will get bullied into a lot of things, but they must choose what they want, not what the others are bullying them. Unfortunately, Sherri Smith also demonstrates a similar statement in Flygirl, as the main character Ida struggles with choosing for herself, because many people do not want her to go and join the WASP, where she is being pressured or forced into what others want her to do. After Ida’s mother says she cannot fake white, she replies with “This is what Daddy used to fly for. The chance to be everything other than the color of his skin”(Smith 55). Ida should have the freedom to do what she loves, and be able to forget about the color of her skin. Both writers show that there needs to be a change in society, that no matter the color of their skin they must get freedom to do what they choose. Though once they are given freedom, they may run into big opportunities, in which they must make the right decisions for everyone, not only themself.  

Literature also encourages that when people are given big opportunities, they must think what is best for everyone, not just themself. Lorraine Hansberry communicates taking advantage of big opportunities, when they get a huge portion of money, which is wasted when Walter makes an investment to someone who shouldn’t be trusted. Beneatha angrily states to Asagi about the wasted money saying “‘He made an investment! With a man even Travis wouldn’t trust”’(3.1.104). Beanthea angrily telling Asagi how Walter wasted the money proves that people shouldn’t only think about what is best for themselves, but for the family, since Walter spent/lost Beneatha’s college money too. In Flygirl she is given a big opportunity when she is accepted into the WASP program, which she has to decide if she should do everything she has dreamed of, or stay home and safe to help out her family. As her family tries to stop her from going, Grandy says “‘What about the rest of your pay, Ida? We all work together in this family. With you gone, that’s another bit of money that’s not coming in for us”’(Smith 60). Family is always there for them no matter what, but when people want to accomplish their dreams, it is more important. In society, racism is still an issue, although if people are given big opportunities, they must take advantage of them. Once they are given the opportunity, they must fulfill their dreams, no matter their skin color.

Literature expresses that every human being deserves to have dreams, no matter their skin color. Lastly, Lorraine Hansberry communicates that even though Mr. Linder doesn’t want them to move into the neighborhood because of the color of their skin, they still follow their dreams and move into the house. After Mr. Linder finally accepts the fact that they want to move, Ruth yells “‘Well, for God’s sake-if the moving men are here-LET’S GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE”’(3.1.122). The family has finally made a big decision, knowing the risks, choosing to forget the color of their skin because they realized they have been wanting to move into a house. Flygirl shows how Ida has finally accomplished her biggest dream by becoming an official WASP member and being able to fly planes everyday. Ida finally has accomplished her dream “Because tomorrow morning, I head to California to start my first day on the job as a full-fledged WASP”’(Smith 218). Once people fulfill their first big dream, they believe they can achieve anything, and will have so many opportunities. In the end, both characters in the stories were able to fulfill their dreams, although they have dark colored skin. In life, after people fulfill their dreams, the amount of opportunities given, as they gain their confidence through who they are, shows anything is possible.