Social Issues and Injustice in The Society in "A Raisin in The Sun"

In the play, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is many works of literature that have focused on society, in particular the injustice in the society. Written in the mid-1900s, it was written to show the social issues the African Americans were going through during the mid 1900s, which was after the American civil war. Throughout the novel, Hansberry exposes the injustice of the society through symbols, imagery, and Allusion, which enhances the overall meaning of the work.

The symbols used in the novel are very significant to the entire meaning of the work Early in the novel, Mama brings a dying plant that she says will never see spring again. The flower symbolizes the family’s fading chances are high and it’s because they are African Americans and the society which they live is made up of white people sees them differently. The color of their skin which is another huge symbol makes their life difficult. During that period of time the society is going through racial injustice, where the white community-who are the majority of the society tend to think to think they are superior than the African American because of the color of their skin. The apartment that the family lives in has little sunlight and sunlight symbolizes hope and life since all human life depends on warmth and energy from the sun. The lack of sunlight symbolizes that they lack hope and their lives are miserable. Hansberry choice of symbol illustrates the injustice in the society that African Americans go through on their day to day lives.

Allusion and metaphor are literary elements that help build the story in, A Raisin in the sun. Metaphors help readers visualize the content of the book easily. Hansberry uses a metaphor when Mr. Linder gives the offer of buying their house. But his intent of doing that was he didn’t want an African American family in the neighborhood. Beneatha tells Mr. Linder, “30 pieces not a coin less” which was a metaphor as well an allusion. The metaphor illustrates the family’s betrayal which was because the social injustice effected them to do it. The metaphor also had a biblical allusion because it was the cost Judas betrayed Jesus. Beneatha’s boyfriend insults Walter. Which was an allusion that references to Walter always portraying darkness instead of light.

Social injustice is brought up by the racial background of the people in the society, Hansberry portrays the meaning of the work as a whole by using literary elements that clearly illustrate the meaning of the theme. Hansberry explores all the social issues that are happening during the mid-1900s by the use of literary elements.

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