Walter: (mumbling) We one group of men tied to a race of women with small minds (Hansberry, p 19).Often women are represented as inferior to men in many ways in A Raising in the Sun. 1.1 Using the above quotation as a point of departure, write two paragraphs in which you discuss the extent to which...
Walter: (mumbling) We one group of men tied to a race of women with small minds (Hansberry, p
19).Often women are represented as inferior to men in many ways in A Raising in the Sun. 1.1 Using the
above quotation as a point of departure, write two paragraphs in which you discuss the extent to which
Hansberry portrays women as the disempowered gender in A Raisin in the Sun. Ensure that you support
your argument by using examples from the text.
In Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun, women are indeed portrayed as the
disempowered gender to a significant extent. The quote, "We one group of men tied to a race of
women with small minds" uttered by Walter Younger reflects a prevailing attitude within the
play that women are intellectually inferior to men. This sentiment is further reinforced through
the character of Walter's wife, Ruth, who is consistently marginalized and underestimated.
Throughout the play, Ruth's opinions and desires are often dismissed or overshadowed by the
male characters. For instance, when Ruth discovers she is pregnant and contemplates having an
abortion due to the family's financial struggles, Walter arrogantly asserts his authority and
disregards her perspective, insisting that the child should be born. This exemplifies the pervasive
belief that men hold the ultimate decision-making power, while women's voices and choices are
deemed insignificant.
Moreover, Hansberry's portrayal of Beneatha, Walter's sister, highlights the limited opportunities
and societal constraints imposed on women. Beneatha aspires to become a doctor, a profession
typically dominated by men during the time the play is set. However, she faces constant
skepticism and condescension from both her family members and society at large. For instance,
when Beneatha expresses her desire to pursue medicine, Walter dismisses her ambition as
unrealistic and insists that she should focus on finding a husband instead. Additionally, Beneatha
encounters racial and gender-based discrimination when she attempts to secure a medical school
scholarship, highlighting the intersecting challenges faced by women of color in pursuing their
aspirations.
Overall, Hansberry effectively portrays women as the disempowered gender in A Raisin in the
Sun through the marginalization, dismissal, and limited opportunities afforded to female
characters like Ruth and Beneatha. By depicting their struggles against societal expectations and
the dominance of male voices, the play shines a light on the gender inequalities prevalent at the
time, emphasizing the need for change and empowerment for women.
Question 2
1.2 Using the above quotation as a point of departure, write two paragraphs in which you discuss the
characters of Walter and Asagai regarding their views on a woman’s position in a patriarchal
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