Question

Read the following excerpt from the ending of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun.

MAMA (Quietly, woman to woman) He finally come into his manhood today, didn't he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain...

RUTH (Biting her lip lest her own pride explode in front of MAMA) Yes, Lena.

(WALTER'S voice calls for them raucously)

WALTER (Off stage) Y'all come on! These people charges by the hour, you know! MAMA (Waving RUTH out vaguely) All right, honey go on down. I be down directly.

(RUTH hesitates, then exits. MAMA stands, at last alone in the living room, her plant on the table before her as the lights start to come down. She looks around at all the walls and ceilings

and suddenly, despite herself, while the children call below, a great heaving thing rises in her and she puts her fist to her mouth to stifle it, takes a final desperate look, pulls her coat about her, pats her hat and goes out. The lights dim down. The door opens and she comes back in, grabs her plant, and goes out for the last time) Curtain
How does this excerpt contribute to the theme of A Raisin in the Sun? What aesthetic impact did the author intend it to have on the reader? Be sure to use specific details from the text to support your answer.

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

This excerpt from the ending of A Raisin in the Sun contributes to the theme of independence and self-determination. Throughout the play, Mama has been a strong and wise matriarch who holds her family together. In this final scene, she symbolically lets go of the old apartment and takes her plant with her as she moves on to a new beginning. This act represents her affirmation of her own agency and decision-making, signaling her independence and ability to navigate the challenges ahead.

The author, Lorraine Hansberry, intends for this scene to evoke a sense of empowerment and liberation for Mama. As the lights dim and Mama looks around at the walls and ceilings of the apartment, she is met with a surge of emotion that she struggles to contain. This moment is meant to highlight Mama's resilience and strength as she prepares to face the unknown future. The image of Mama taking her plant with her as she leaves for the last time symbolizes her commitment to growth and renewal.

Overall, this excerpt is intended to have an aesthetic impact on the reader by invoking a sense of closure and transformation. The emotional weight of Mama's departure from the old apartment conveys a sense of catharsis and release, allowing the reader to feel a sense of hope and possibility for the characters as they embark on their new journey.