Pamela
Student No:
Unique No: 753213
ENG2603 Assignment 2
1. The above assertion confirms some of gender stereotypes that are prevalent in the
American society. In cognizance of gender relations within the Younger family (that
could be perceived as representative of black communities) which existence can be
attributed to gender stereotypes and patriarchy, in a well-argued essay, discuss how
gender contributed to the tensions that are manifested within the Youngers.
Feminism is the belief in the social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. It is a point
of view that sees gender as one of the most important bases of the structure and organization
of the social world. Gender stereotypes are present throughout Lorraine Hansberry‟s play, “A
Raisin in the Sun”. The occurrence of gender stereotypes in the play unmistakably
contributed to the terrible situations the Younger‟s found themselves in. This view shall be
critically analysed and discussed in the essay below.
In order for me to fully explain the topic, it is important for us to understand the term
“stereotype”. According to psychologists, “a stereotype is a fixed, over generalized belief
about a particular group or class of people. By stereotyping we infer that a person has a whole
range of characteristics and abilities that we assume all members of that group have”1,
suggesting that oversimplification and prejudice are involved in its formation and use.
Stereotypes can be isolated based on race or culture, age, profession, and so on. Furthermore,
stereotypes may seem positive: hence the beliefs that woman are naturally warm or that Black
people always have a wonderful sense of rhythm, are no less stereotypical than more
blatantly negative views2.
In the “ Raisin in the Sun”, the protagonist Walter is always at odds with his sister Beneatha
over her career choice as he believes that she should fit into his image of what a woman
should be and stereotypes her according to her gender which is to “get married and be quiet”.
This stereotype also relates to the way he views his wife and his mum.
Towards the beginning of the play, the line “Your eggs is getting cold!”3, captures the
reader‟s attention. This phrase is used in the play to bring across the point of gender
stereotyping that men are the only ones suffering and in need of support, but all their women
are saying is, “Keep quiet and eat your food”. This is when Walter accuses coloured women
of not supporting and understanding their husband‟s dreams and visions. This contributed to
the state in which the family finds themselves in, which is one of broken dreams. As Walter‟s
father had dreams of a better life, but failed to accomplish it due to stereotyping and fixed
1
https://www.simplypsychology.org/katz-braly.html
2
Tutorial letter 501. 2021: 25
3
L.Hansberry: A raisin in the sun: bloomsberry publishing. 2011: 495
Student No:
Unique No: 753213
ENG2603 Assignment 2
1. The above assertion confirms some of gender stereotypes that are prevalent in the
American society. In cognizance of gender relations within the Younger family (that
could be perceived as representative of black communities) which existence can be
attributed to gender stereotypes and patriarchy, in a well-argued essay, discuss how
gender contributed to the tensions that are manifested within the Youngers.
Feminism is the belief in the social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. It is a point
of view that sees gender as one of the most important bases of the structure and organization
of the social world. Gender stereotypes are present throughout Lorraine Hansberry‟s play, “A
Raisin in the Sun”. The occurrence of gender stereotypes in the play unmistakably
contributed to the terrible situations the Younger‟s found themselves in. This view shall be
critically analysed and discussed in the essay below.
In order for me to fully explain the topic, it is important for us to understand the term
“stereotype”. According to psychologists, “a stereotype is a fixed, over generalized belief
about a particular group or class of people. By stereotyping we infer that a person has a whole
range of characteristics and abilities that we assume all members of that group have”1,
suggesting that oversimplification and prejudice are involved in its formation and use.
Stereotypes can be isolated based on race or culture, age, profession, and so on. Furthermore,
stereotypes may seem positive: hence the beliefs that woman are naturally warm or that Black
people always have a wonderful sense of rhythm, are no less stereotypical than more
blatantly negative views2.
In the “ Raisin in the Sun”, the protagonist Walter is always at odds with his sister Beneatha
over her career choice as he believes that she should fit into his image of what a woman
should be and stereotypes her according to her gender which is to “get married and be quiet”.
This stereotype also relates to the way he views his wife and his mum.
Towards the beginning of the play, the line “Your eggs is getting cold!”3, captures the
reader‟s attention. This phrase is used in the play to bring across the point of gender
stereotyping that men are the only ones suffering and in need of support, but all their women
are saying is, “Keep quiet and eat your food”. This is when Walter accuses coloured women
of not supporting and understanding their husband‟s dreams and visions. This contributed to
the state in which the family finds themselves in, which is one of broken dreams. As Walter‟s
father had dreams of a better life, but failed to accomplish it due to stereotyping and fixed
1
https://www.simplypsychology.org/katz-braly.html
2
Tutorial letter 501. 2021: 25
3
L.Hansberry: A raisin in the sun: bloomsberry publishing. 2011: 495
