SymbolismSymbolism

in in A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the Sun

DefinitionDefinition

• A symbol is a physical item that A symbol is a physical item that represents something greater than represents something greater than itself.itself.

What does this symbol What does this symbol represent?represent?

What does this symbol What does this symbol represent?represent?

What does this symbol What does this symbol represent?represent?

What does this symbol What does this symbol represent?represent?

What does this symbol What does this symbol represent?represent?

What does this symbol What does this symbol represent?represent?

What does this symbol What does this symbol represent?represent?

We use symbols to…We use symbols to…

• Represent ideas that are difficult to Represent ideas that are difficult to expressexpress

• Communicate quicklyCommunicate quickly

• Communicate without wordsCommunicate without words

• Represent ideas in literature and Represent ideas in literature and create depth to the plotcreate depth to the plot

50 cents50 cents

• Travis asks his mother for 50 cents for a Travis asks his mother for 50 cents for a school activity. After his mother says she school activity. After his mother says she does not have this meager sum, Walter does not have this meager sum, Walter gives Travis a dollar, telling him to spend gives Travis a dollar, telling him to spend the extra on himself. the extra on himself.

• The 50 cents represents the necessities The 50 cents represents the necessities money can buymoney can buy

• The dollar represents the desire for The dollar represents the desire for material goods beyond these needs. material goods beyond these needs.

• Walter’s inability to provide for his familyWalter’s inability to provide for his family

Kitchen WindowKitchen Window

• This small window, which provides This small window, which provides the only natural light coming into the the only natural light coming into the apartment, represents the Younger apartment, represents the Younger family's hope for a brighter future.  family's hope for a brighter future. 

Mama’s PlantMama’s Plant

• Mama’s FamilyMama’s Family. She nurtures the plant just . She nurtures the plant just as she nurtures the family. as she nurtures the family.

• Black AmericansBlack Americans. The plant struggles to . The plant struggles to survive with limited exposure to sunlight survive with limited exposure to sunlight just as blacks of mid-19th Century America just as blacks of mid-19th Century America struggle to survive with limited struggle to survive with limited opportunities.  opportunities. 

• Mama’s Tenacity and PluckMama’s Tenacity and Pluck. The plant and . The plant and Mama endure in adverse circumstances. Mama endure in adverse circumstances.

Bennie’s HairBennie’s Hair

• Beneatha’s straightened hair represents Beneatha’s straightened hair represents her acceptance of American norms and her acceptance of American norms and her willingness to assimilate.her willingness to assimilate.

• Beneatha’s natural hair represents her Beneatha’s natural hair represents her desire to be more “African” and less of desire to be more “African” and less of an assimilationist.an assimilationist.

• The choice between haircuts represents The choice between haircuts represents a choice between cultures.a choice between cultures.