Raisin In The Sun

This is an A Raisin in the Sun research paper topic suggestion from Paper Masters. Use this topic on the novel A Raisin in the Sun or order a custom research paper, written exactly how you need it to be.

A good research paper on Lorraine Hansbery's A Raisin in the Sun may want to touch on the following topics:

1. Discuss how the Novel illustrates how difficult it is to prosper in society, while representing a minority race.
2. The research paper should show how Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun proves how society can make it difficult for a black man to to find their identity.
3. Raisin in the Sun shows the outside pressures and influences can completely sidetrack the life of an individual down a path of grief and despair.
4. Hansberry illustrates how the American Dream can easily become Black American reality. Too much emphasis is put on the advantages that the affluent white people, and this is how George and Walter get sucked into their life style.

We also see how confusion can set in the mind of characters like George, who would denounce their race rather than uplift it. The only bright spot is Asagai, who Hansberry utilizes to contrast the ideals of the African man to the Afro-American male. He is the only character in A Raisin in the Sun that knows where he is going in life, and he doesn't worry about money, status or society. Walter and George will continue to be affected by the mainstream, while trying to be something that they are not. While these guys search for their hopes down dead end roads, what will happen to them is what Langston Hughes calls a dream deferred.

The obvious theme within "A Raisin in the Sun" is racial discrimination, however it's most prevalent message is that of personal pride, and pride within a family. Pride is what allows Walter to make the right decision, when he can't bear to go through with accepting the "bribe" in front of his son. Beneatha has great pride in her heritage, mama takes great pride in her accomplishments as the "leader" of the clan, and Ruth takes pride in every little task she performs. This theme cannot only be seen throughout the descriptions and interpretation of the characters, but is contained within several inanimate objects as well, each associated with a particular character in the play.

Outline of a Topic for Raisin of the Sun

Thesis: Pride is the driving force behind the actions of the characters in A Raisin in the Sun, as represented in three characters in the play through the symbolism of a plant in which Hansberry makes continual reference to.

1. Mama's plant is the subject of many references to the need for light and air.
1. The Plant is momma's children.
2. The children need certain things to survive, just as a plant does, i.e. sunlight, oxygen.
2. Benetha needs to be more "rooted".
1. She is constantly changing and never is around enough to take root.
2. She has high aspirations.
1. Always looking for a "hook" and angle on something.
2. Is very immature because she isn't properly rooted so she wants things beyond her means.
3. Ruth appears to be better rooted than Beneatha but when it comes right down to it, she lacks fortitude
1. Loving and faithful to her mother and deeply rooted in family ties.
2. Practical and does not have the high aspirations of Beneatha.
1. Dreams are based in reality.
2. Makes a life for herself and does not rely on others for her prosperity.