Journal Prompt 1; Money 1:

In the play, The Raisin in the Sun, money symbolizes multiple things to every character. The
check that Mama is supposed to receive raises serious disagreements because of its undetermined
use after it arrives. Walter Lee wants to use the new money to start a liquor store with his
business partners. He sees the store turning into profit and to Walter, money is a symbol of
success and prosperity, along with the completion of your dreams and goals. However, members
of the Younger family all have different ideas about how the check should be used and different
views of what money represents in life. For example, Beneatha wants part of the money to go to
her college career and she believes that education is a way to find your true potential and is very
self-fulfilling. She believes that society needs to shape itself through knowledge and furthering
peoples curiosity about their background. Ruth believes money represents the hard work you
have put in and believes that the harder you work the more the rewards are. She shows this
through the her everyday speech; for example in Act 1, Scene 1 when Travis asks for 50 cents
and Ruth quickly declines. When Travis asks his father, Walter gives him the coins and Ruth
becomes quickly heated, for she believes that you should work hard and save up your money
instead of spending at the first chance. Furthermore, Travis believes that money represents a way
to get extra luxuries with ease; he doesn't quite yet understand the importance of working hard to
earn things or that money doesnt grow on trees. Asagais attitude towards money is that money
pulls you away from your values and roots; your character and background is more important
than being consumed by commercial material and possessions. Asagai shows his beliefs in the
play by giving Beneatha his robes and explaining to her the importance of embracing her history.
Also, his lack of being consumed into a world where money runs everything shows that he
places his personal identity and roots before possessions. Finally, George Murchison believes
that money is just an accent to life and places money over his ethnic background, family, values
and love life. He believes that you can only win respect over your economic status, which shows
his lack of caring for his roots. All these characters attitudes about money differentiate because
they all have different dreams and are all raised differently. Also, everyone's character is
different, therefore, some characters are greedy, determined, merciless, whereas others are
passive, and moral driven. The personalities mixed with the dreams each character has leads to
all people having a different point of view about money and how they perceive success is
different.

Journal Prompt 2; Lenas Plant:

In most situations, a plant is used as a way to represent growth and death. They are also used to
represent the fact that when love and care is put into something, it will grow and flourish to turn
from a small idea (the seed) the a beautiful product (the flower). Lenas plant is her prized
possession and in some scenes it even shows Lena yelling at her family because they mess with
her plant. In the play, Lenas plant is introduced as a plant that is wilting away and can not stay
alive for lack of nourishment and adequate attention. However, Lena still tends and shows the
plant her love and affection in hope that one day the plant will flourish into something
outstanding and beautiful. The significance of Lenas plant in the play is that it symbolizes the
family as a whole and how Lena tries very hard to help the families dream become a reality. The
plant is barely surviving because of lack of nourishment, however Mama is completely dedicated
to the plant and tends to it everyday to hope that it will become something. This symbolizes the
family's dream of moving into a new house, one that is bigger, cleaner, and safer. The house the
Youngers live in is run down and too small for the whole family. When Ruth tells her mother
and husband that she is pregnant it sends a rude awakening that the house the family lives in is
getting far too small for living. The plant is the dream; at first the dream is not likely to happen
and it needs all the work it can get so that it can become a reality. Soon enough, the hard work
and care towards the dream allows it to become real and the Youngers finally can move into a
new house. The plant in The Raisin in the Sun is definitely the most impactful and meaningful
symbol in the play for it represents dreams the family has, which is the focus of the whole play.

Journal Prompt 3; Love and Trust > Deceit and Selfishness:

SPES
In the play, The Raisin in the Sun love most definitely wins over selfishness. There are many
examples in the play where the power of family wins over greed. For example, RUTH (She
finally laughs aloud at him and holds out her arms to him and we see that it is a way between
them, very old and practiced. He crosses to her and allows her to embrace her warmly...She
looks at him and runs her fingers over the features of his face. With utter gentleness )
Now whose little old angry man are you? (Raisin in the Sun, 1.1.) This quote from the play
shows the obvious fact that no matter how much they may all argue over money problems, they
find a way to get back to thinking of what is most important for their family members. In this
scene, Ruth and her son, Travis, bicker over money and how Travis will be able to get to school
without bus fare money. The fight between the mother and son gets heated at first, but in the end
it is clear they they love one another even when they fight, for the wellbeing of each family
member comes before greed and money. Another example of love powering over greed is when
Ruth comes home from her date with Walter and states, You know you know what we did last
night? Me and Walter Lee?(Smiling to herself) We went to the movies. (Looking at
BENEATHA to see if she understands) We went to the movies. You know the last time me and
Walter went to the movies together?... We went and we held hands (Raisin in the Sun, 2.3).
This quote shows how the problems the Youngers are facing with money can not hold them
from loving each other for long. The love they share for each other is stronger than greed,
selfishness and money. Although the family is in tough conditions with their house and able to
pay for everyday functions, the family still puts aside special time for each other so they can stay
close knit. Walter Lee overpowers his economical problems and stays affectionate with his wife
because he wants to stay loyal to what he believes in. In conclusion, although the Younger
family may have it rough, they get over their selfishness and love each other deeply, for it is
what they value more.

Journal Prompt 4; Stereotyping and Prejudice

SPES
The stereotypes in The Raisin in the Sun are all stereotypes based on race/skin color and
economic and social levels in a society. All the stereotypes Mr. Linder produced were based off
of racist judgments because of the difference between the Youngers skin color and the people
living in Clybourne Park. When Mr. Linder is in the Youngers household, he states for the
whole community of Clybourne that, the overwhelming majority of our people out there feel
that people get along better, take more of a common interest in the life of the community, when
they share a common background. I want you to believe me when I tell you that race prejudice
simply doesnt enter into it. It is a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or
wrongly, as I say, that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier
when they live in their own communities(Raisin in the Sun, 2.2) The stereotypes that are
encountered is that Mr. Linder does not want the Youngers in the all white neighborhood
because the citizens want to keep the neighborhood all white and all on the same social level.
Mr. Linder, along with all the other members of Clybourne Park, feel that the family shouldnt
move in because the community is superior to them because of their racial differences. This
shows the common stereotype that the white community is better than the African American
race. The cause for these common stereotypes includes the time era and societal influences.
During this time, after WWII, all races were fighting for equality and the stereotypes and
discrimination were already too far embedded into the society to forget right away. These
common stereotypes almost make the characters want to move in the white community even
more than before they were confronted by the welcoming committee. The Youngers want to
prove to society that they are not inferior to the white community and that African Americans do
anything that white people can; they want to prove society wrong about their stereotypes that the
white race is more successful. Overall, the stereotypes introduced to the Youngers gives them a
sense of pride that they are able to move into a white neighborhood and it fuels their fire to
cause them to want to move their even more. These stereotypes could definitely be avoided, for
all one would need to do is not think anything about a person because of their race, or even
gender in this case. They would need to look past what a society says about a race and let every
individual have every same right as every other person. In conclusion, the stereotypes that Mr.
Linder introduces in the play are based on race and social level, however the judgement does not
get to the family because they know they can do whatever they want no matter what society says.

Journal Prompt 5; Personal Prompt Expectations:

Problems that occur when your expectations dont align with other peoples expectations are
disagreements and arguments. When other people expect certain things from someone this can
lead to conflicting views and someone to not be able to live up to their full potential and
accomplish their dreams. Every single person should be able to do as they please and do their
best in trying to complete what makes them happy in life, not others. No person should have to
live up to the standards of another person, for you are the only person who can control what you
do. If people have expectations of others, the other people with never be able to live up to their
true potential or follow what they want to do because they will be following in the path of
another person's wants. An example of this is in any classic movie where a football star who has
an amazing future ahead of him is only pursuing this dream because it is what his father wanted
of him. The father's expectations are different from the childs, for the father wants the kid to
follow the dream he never accomplished and expects his son to follow in his footsteps. These
movies are classic examples of the consequences of conflicting expectations. These examples
directly show how the expectations of another person can trap someone else into not being able
to follow the dreams they want. Another example of this is the expectations people have of
certain races. This is repeatedly shown in the play The Raisin in the Sun where society has
certain expectations from the African American race. They expect them to not be equal to other
members of society and they expect them to not have the same chances as others. Although this
play was written in the 1950s, society still witnesses these racial expectations that people from
certain ethnical backgrounds are supposed to meet. You can find these stereotypes in any school
across America. For example, most people expect all people of Asian culture to excel in all
subjects of school. This stereotype holds people of this background to a certain standard and this
is not okay, for every person, no matter what race, should be able to have their own identity.

Journal Prompt 6; Personal Dreams and Goals:

My personal dreams and goals include ones that I have been slowly, but surely pursuing since I
was in middle school. I have always wanted to be a neurosurgeon ever since I learned about the
brain surgeon, Ben Carson, who was the first doctor to successfully separate siamese twins
connected by the head. My dream is so important to me because I have my heart set on this
profession and with this dream I can help multiple people. Although the road to this career is
rough and extremely demanding, I believe I can still succeed in reaching this job because of my
determined character. I dont stop when the topic im learning gets too intense or when I dont
understand the material required. However, many people who believe they have what it takes to
succeed in this career fall short during the mandatory years of education and end up failing on
the road to their dream. The education, time, and commitment that this career requires becomes
too much stress and doesnt allow an extended amount of free time that many young adults still
want. The lack of free time is most likely the most common reason that adults stop pursuing their
dreams of being in the medical field and this is what could potentially also be the factor in my
failure of accomplishing my dream. Although multiple factors can contribute to my failure on the
road to being a neurosurgeon, I can avoid failure by keeping my dream in view. I will just have
to take one step at a time and work hard with no distractions at everything I do. I will have to not
be pressured into losing responsibility and I will have to remember that when I get to my dream
job the feelings of pride and accomplishment will be amazing. The success of finally achieving
the goal I strived to reach my whole life would be extremely refreshing and I would most likely
feel as if I could do almost anything with my new knowledge and job skills.

Journal Prompt 7; Georges Shoes and Asagais Robes:

George Murchison and Joseph Asagai are two totally contradicting characters. George
Murchison is a wealthy, good looking man who believes the amount of education, money and
job skill you have is more important than the African roots that others believe they should
connect with. George is perfectly fine with blending into the white community and thinks that
black Americans becoming in touch with their African roots is a waste of time. On the other
hand, Asagai is a man connected to his roots who gives Beneatha a chance to finally find a part
of her identity. He doesnt agree with assimilation and having Africans be named as African
Americans. Both characters carry along some sort of symbolism with them. The robes and the
white shoes represent such contradicting ideas because the men who carry these symbols along
with them are complete opposites. The ideas and morals of Asagai are nowhere near anything
close to George Murchison's values and dreams. Asagais african robes represent his want to
connect to his roots and have an identity attached to his heritage. Asagai believes in connecting
your individual identity to your historical roots instead of trying to become someone you are not
in society. When Asagai gives his robes and headdress to Beneatha it represents his want for
Beneatha to come to Africa with him and begin a new life there, as well as starting her career
there. Georges white shoes represent how he has so many new, shiny material possessions and
how he would rather have items over heritage. Not only does Murchisons shoes represent his
lack of connection with his roots, it also represents his wealthiness and is used to show contrast
between himself and Asagai and himself and the Younger family. He believes that the social
level you reside on is more important than your own identity and that education is only used to
further yourself on the ladder of society. The Younger family does not have the money or
privilege to buy commercial materials like George. The white shoes become an extremely
controversial topic in the play when Walter suddenly bursts out in anger at the sight of the shoes.
The burst of anger about the shoes represents how badly Walter wishes he could succeed like
George and represents how he wishes he could accomplish his dreams. In conclusion, George
and Asagai are both two contradicting characters, which leads them to have different ways of
symbolism.

Journal Prompt 8; The Strength of the Family

SPES
It is evident in the play The Raisin in the Sunthat is extremely hard to be a member of the
family at certain times and it is obvious that the Youngers have a challenging time sustaining
their members. It is obvious that it is hard to be a member in the family in Act 1, Scene 1, when
as soon as the family members wake up, the fighting and bickering begins. For example, when
Ruth and Travis start fighting over a small conversation and Travis says, This is the mornin
we supposed to bring the fifty cents to school.
RUTH: Well, I ain't got no fifty cents this morning.
TRAVIS: Teacher say we have to .
RUTH: I don't care what teacher say I ain't got it. Eat your break-fast, Travis.
TRAVIS: I am eating.
RUTH: Hush up now and just eat!
The boy gives her an exasperated look for her lack of understanding, and eats grudgingly.
TRAVIS: You think Grandmama would have it?
RUTH: No! And I want you to stop asking your grandmother for money, you hear me?
TRAVIS (outraged): Gaaaleee I don't ask her she just gimme it sometimes!
RUTH: Travis Willard Younger! (Raisin in the Sun, 1.1). This quote from the play shows that
there are unnecessary fights everyday in the Younger household. Travis and Ruth have just
woken up for the day and they are already fighting over little issues. It is difficult to be a member
of this family at certain times because everyday there is a new problem that the family has to
face, such as Mamas check, abortions, Beneathas schooling or Walter losing the family's
money. No matter what, there is no break from the constant flow of problems that the family has
to face. However, the family does their best to sustain its members by trying to spread the wealth
of the money for all members benefits, and by buying a bigger house so the family can be less
uncomfortable. Ruth, Mama and Walter all try their very best to sustain the family members, but
it is challenging to keep the whole family happy when a large amount of additional problems are
overtaking the family. In conclusion, it is obvious it is a struggle to be a member of the family
and although the Youngers try to sustain it , it is still challenging.