Response Paper: Drama

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Gender Roles in a Raisin in the Sun

In the book “ A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Phenomena Woman” authored by Maya Angelou, the aspect of gender is used to show different perspectives of the role of women in the early 1920s. Throughout the book, women are portrayed differently and mostly playing a docile role in society. Hansberry displays in Ruth as a woman who has a good faith and very loyal to her family. It is, therefore, portrays men to be above women. Though women play an important role, it is mostly taken care of by the family. In several events, women are acquired to be submitted to the demand of men without question and therefore, women should just get married and keep quiet as pointed out by Walters Younger (Hansberry 960). Therefore, throughout the book, there is a clear indication of gender imbalance hence women are portrayed as weak and mostly play a docile role in society.

In the book, male bias against women is portrayed by moat males and therefore, male chauvinists traits are used to deny women opportunities in the society. Walter repeatedly criticizes Beneatha’s intention to pursue medicine as a career. This was because Beneatha is a female and Walter does not believe a woman can pursue a career in medicine and therefore, he keeps criticizing medical school dreamsCITATION Lor79 \p 984 \l 1033 (Hansberry 984). Walter constantly talks about the cost of her schooling and all the times his argument is based on the Beneatha being a woman. Walter says that “she should not event imagine of becoming a doctor.” Walter constantly burst with bitterness when asking Bennie, “Who in hell informed you that you had to be a doctor.” (Hansberry 951). He went ahead to tell Bennie that if she is so determined to interact with the sick people she should go and pursue a career in nursing like other women. This indicates that a doctor is a career reserved for men and therefore, it is crazy for Bennie to imagine becoming a doctor.

Hansberry brings in the aspect of dialogue to portray how Beneatha is unconventionality near Walter. It is a stereotype that is meant to belittle women and make them look valueless in society compared to men. This is common among African American society but throughout the book, Hansberry shows a traditional and practice against women which were common in American society. The society believed that women should belong in the kitchen and take care of husband and children and it is the stereotype built across when Walter disregard and urged Beneatha to pursue nursing instead of medicine to become a doctor. It is, therefore, evidence that two perspectives of women are portrayed in the book. The docile and feminist character of what we witnessed in modern society. Ruth is comfortable with her role as a housewife and she takes care of children and very submission to the husband while Beneatha is the feminist of today and most disagree with men and try hard to pursue a career, which is mostly reserved for men. Beneatha does not believe in any African American who is willing and ready to give up on their cultural practice (Hansberry 984). Therefore Beneatha never tolerated any of the remarks made by Walter and therefore, she believe in herself and could do want it takes to attain her dreams.

In conclusion, the role of gender in the book “A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Phenomena Woman” women are portrayed in various perspectives. Women are portrayed as docile and submission and also the feminist aspect of women which is common in the current society is also portrayed through Beneatha's dreams to become a doctor despite being discouraged by Walter and other men in the society.

Works Cited

BIBLIOGRAPHY Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Chicago: Pearson Publisher, 1979.