Women in a Raisin in the Sun Essay Sample

Women have been oppressed since the beginning of history. Whether it would be making less money than men, being underrepresented in the government, or not being authorized to vote until 1920. All these countless examples and more prove how society’s discouragement towards women is one of the most significant sources of their negligence. In Beneatha’s case, her brother (Walter) discourages her by telling her she is not capable of following her dreams because she is a woman. She tries her hardest to defend herself by speaking up against their misogyny, but in the end, she is only strong enough to take so much discouragement. This eventually causes Beneatha to neglect her own dreams. In A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry develops cruelty through the men in Beneatha’s life, overlooking her dreams of becoming a doctor. Their misogyny discourages Beneatha to the point where she neglects her own dreams. This illuminates the idea of how misogyny in society degrades women's values, and instead of being damaged by this discouragement, it should empower women to pursue their dreams.

Due to the discouragement Beneatha endures, she is driven to overlook her own dreams. This proves how society’s misogyny diminishes women’s values because while Walter neglects Beneatha’s hopes for the future, she begins to question her own dreams. Walter: “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people—then go be a nurse like other women—or just get married and be quiet…” (Hansberry, 498). This quote shows how Walter’s misogyny defers Beneatha’s dreams of becoming a doctor. Although Beneatha has not begun to question her dreams in this particular quote, it’s one of many examples where Walter’s misogyny eventually led her to do this.

As Beneatha tries to transgress the stereotypes of black women, Walter repeatedly dismisses her efforts. This shows how the misogyny in society negatively influences women to lose sight of their dreams. Walter used Beneatha’s college money for himself because he believed she wasn’t capable of achieving those dreams. This loss of money provoked Beneatha to lose sight of her once beloved dreams. Beneatha: “…I wanted to cure. It used to be so important to me. I wanted to cure. It used to matter. I used to care.” Asagai: “And you’ve stopped caring?” Beneatha: “Yes…” (Hansberry 564). This quote proves how Walter’s negligence eventually compels Beneatha to doubt her own abilities of becoming a doctor. This helps the reader understand the impact misogyny possesses over women to lead them to doubt themselves.

In conclusion, Beneatha’s determination to follow her dreams was interrupted due to Walter’s misogyny and discouragement. This impacted Beneatha to neglect her own dreams and leave them to “dry up like a raisin in the sun” -Langston Hughes.