A Raisin in the Sun 3

A Raisin in the Sun
Lorraine Hansberry

Another important question from the sheet was number 8, which asked for two characters who contrast.  We discussed this for a while in our small group today in class, and I think that it is vital to the plot and central themes of the play.  Beneatha is most affected by Asagai and George who both pull her in opposite directions.  George Murchison is the character who wants her to give up her dreams of becoming a doctor and wants her to just assimilate into the common culture of Chicago.  Completely opposite, Asagai encourages Beneatha to pursue her education and to be her own person.  When he asks her to marry him, he wants to bring her back to Africa with him so that they can both make a difference in others' lives.  While this seems pleasing to Beneatha, she also realizes the financial toll the trip would make on her.  That is the upside to George--he could offer her financial stability and a nice home.  The money is particularly important because she had just learned of Walters' bogus investment, so she needs some future plans of stability.  She said in desperation, "Asagai, while i was sleeping in that bed in there, people went out and took the future right out of my hands!  And nobody asked me, nobody consulted me--they just went out and changed my life!" (Hansberry, page 134).  This was very sad for Beneatha because she nobly wanted to enter the medical world as a black, female doctor, which was a great enough feat on its own.