A Raisin in the Sun Character Sketch

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Jaeda Pratt Be able to show how Lorraine Hansberry contrasts 2 characters. A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry presents many themes that are found in everyday life in order to contrast characters. One of them for example is the changing roles of women. The changing roles of women are portrayed through the differences between Lena and Beneatha. Lena represents the old woman, while Beneatha represents the new. This is shown through the differences in opinion about religion, marriage, and their dreams. Lena and Beneatha have very different opinions about religion. Lena epitomizes traditional blacks that found personal fulfillment and courage for political and social action in God. Beneatha, however, does not find solace in God. Instead, she believes that man deserves credit for his own hard work. In Act I, Beneatha says, "How much cleaning can a house need, for Christ's sakes?" Lena gets mad and Ruth says that Beneatha is "fresh as salt." Beneatha retorts, "Well- if the salt loses its savor." Lena gets offended even at this mild sacrilege. Later, Lena says, "You going to be a doctor, honey, God willing." Beneatha replies, "God hasn't got a thing to do with it." She goes on to say, "God is just one idea I don't accept I get tired of Him getting credit for all the things the human race achieves through its own stubborn effort. There simply is no God- there is only man and it is he who makes miracles." Lena rises across the room and slaps Beneatha in the face. She is so intolerant of Beneatha's beliefs that she makes her say, "In my mother's house there is still God." Which may have consoled her but had little effect on Beneatha who then says (after Lena leaves the room) “Everybody thinks it’s alright for Mama to be a tyrant. But all the tyranny in the world will never put a god in the heavens”. Lena and Beneatha also

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