Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha is depicted as a girl that is somewhat lost and doesn't fit into the environment, unlike many of the people she is surrounded by. She doesn't agree with the stereotypes of how a woman should look and behave that are constantly being pushed on her. Instead, she chases her dreams and has confidence in her own beliefs. Although this is something that I think is impressive and definitely look up to, I found it interesting that her character came with a somewhat negative connotation. In the household, she seems to be somewhat of a hassle, especially to her mother. Mama gets extremely angry at her for her beliefs about religion, and that God shouldn't be "getting credit" for her accomplishments. Furthermore, she is ridiculed for not wanting to marry George, though he is extremely wealthy and good looking. Instead, she wants to find someone that she truly loves and cares for.
I think that the connotation that Beneatha's character came with would be extremely different in a more modern setting. Today, people have learned to start empowering independent women instead of trying to tear them down, which I believe is an extremely important thing. Although I believe that sexism still exists, and of course there are still many people that are disturbed by the success of women, I believe that America has come a long way and needs to continue to fight sexism.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Happy Endings
After reading about the background of "A Raisin In the Sun", I was really surprised by the fact that she changed the ending of the play. Instead of writing that a white mob was coming into his home, the ending was changed into the family moving into a white neighborhood.
I found this really important, because I do notice that many books and movies end up with the typical "happy ending", and often not representing reality. I used to believe in these fairytale endings, but now I realize that life is not a fairytale and things do not always have perfect endings. I think it is important for more books and movies and tv shows to represent reality, especially when it comes to topics involving social justice. Because the reality is that it is still a battle that needs to be fought to this day. By depicting things like sexism and racism in books as things that end happily is not the reality, because they haven't ended and it needs to be brought to people's attention.
However, I do understand why she would change the ending, because people are always expecting a happy ending. People never want to accept the fact that sometimes things end badly. It's the reality that nobody likes, nobody likes to read a sad ending, even if it is the truth.
I found this really important, because I do notice that many books and movies end up with the typical "happy ending", and often not representing reality. I used to believe in these fairytale endings, but now I realize that life is not a fairytale and things do not always have perfect endings. I think it is important for more books and movies and tv shows to represent reality, especially when it comes to topics involving social justice. Because the reality is that it is still a battle that needs to be fought to this day. By depicting things like sexism and racism in books as things that end happily is not the reality, because they haven't ended and it needs to be brought to people's attention.
However, I do understand why she would change the ending, because people are always expecting a happy ending. People never want to accept the fact that sometimes things end badly. It's the reality that nobody likes, nobody likes to read a sad ending, even if it is the truth.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Gatsby
Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And then one fine morning— So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
These words concluded the novel, and I think they are some of the most powerful words throughout the entire book. This quote ties the story together by giving Gatsby a purpose and almost an explanation. Gatsby has been left as an extremely mysterious character throughout the entire book, however this quote at the end allows readers to have some insight on Gatsby's thoughts and also offers an explanation for the reoccurring symbol of the green light.
I think that this quote is meant to show represent the difficulties that people face in order to try and fit in and reach their goals. Often these goals are simply just acceptance and trying to fit into a certain standard. I believe that Gatsby really represents the moral that another person's goal doesn't have to be your goal, each individual is different. Gatsby had what many people may consider to be a perfect life, he was extremely wealthy, through extravagant parties, and lived a luxurious lifestyle. However, he lacked love in his life, something so pure that every human needs to feel and is often overlooked. Although Gatsby had so many people come to his parties, very few showed up to his funeral, this shows how easily people can assume someone has a "perfect" life from the outside, not knowing anything about Gatsby himself. "The grass is always greener on the other side" , but people only see the surface, and it is impossible to know what someone's internal struggles are, so do not judge a book by its cover.
These words concluded the novel, and I think they are some of the most powerful words throughout the entire book. This quote ties the story together by giving Gatsby a purpose and almost an explanation. Gatsby has been left as an extremely mysterious character throughout the entire book, however this quote at the end allows readers to have some insight on Gatsby's thoughts and also offers an explanation for the reoccurring symbol of the green light.
I think that this quote is meant to show represent the difficulties that people face in order to try and fit in and reach their goals. Often these goals are simply just acceptance and trying to fit into a certain standard. I believe that Gatsby really represents the moral that another person's goal doesn't have to be your goal, each individual is different. Gatsby had what many people may consider to be a perfect life, he was extremely wealthy, through extravagant parties, and lived a luxurious lifestyle. However, he lacked love in his life, something so pure that every human needs to feel and is often overlooked. Although Gatsby had so many people come to his parties, very few showed up to his funeral, this shows how easily people can assume someone has a "perfect" life from the outside, not knowing anything about Gatsby himself. "The grass is always greener on the other side" , but people only see the surface, and it is impossible to know what someone's internal struggles are, so do not judge a book by its cover.
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