Gender Roles in a Raisin in the Sun Essay - 2026 Words

Angela Olsen English 102 ONLN 3 Professor Thea Howey May 3, 2013 Female Gender in A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry was a forward thinker for her time in the 1950’s, which was evident in her writing. â€Å"It is believed that hidden behind her work was Hansberry’s own personal struggle with gender† (Wiener 10-11). After many years of marriage and eventually divorce, it was discovered that she was a closet homosexual (Wiener 11). Male and female gender roles are heated topics that have been debated for generations. Women in the United States are still regarded as taking care of and nurturing children as well as the responsibility for taking care of the home. The majority of women in America have a career outside the home, yet still†¦show more content†¦Walter is upset about what Mama has done. She chose to fulfill her dream of a owning a home over anyone else’s dream. There is conflict through the remainder of the play between Mama and Walter because he blames her for the loss of his dream. Walter had a dream of investing in a liquor store. He thought it would make him millions of dollars, and allow him to provide for his family. Eventually, she decides to allow Walter to have control of the remainder of the money. She gives specific instructions to set-aside a portion of the remaining money for Beneatha’s education and the rest was for him to decide (107). She does not exert this control over her children for the sake of maintaining power, rather to continue to provide for them. She willingly relinquishes her power as matriarch and tells Walter â€Å"to be the head of this family from now on like you supposed to be† (107). Putting the happiness of her children before her own is what almost any mother would do. Ruth is a very strong woman with morals and a belief in God. Ruth loves her husband and her son and does her very best to take care of them. She is always putting the needs and desires of her family above her own. Ruth has always been supportive of Walter, but recently they have not been communicating well. Ruth tries to convince Mama to allow Walter the chance to invest in the liquor store by saying, â€Å"something is happeningShow MoreRelated The Significance of Gender Roles in Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew and Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun2574 Words   |  11 PagesGender roles are undeniably a fundamental topic of critique in literature, particularly since expected gender roles have evolved in recent years. More importantly, the transcendence of these gender expectations indicates the possibility for transformation and increasing liberation in society. 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In the midst of her escape, Sethe makes the choice to kill her