The beginning and the end

A Raisin in the Sun
Lorraine Hansberry

The play has two symbols (that I noticed) in the beginning and in the end of the play. The first was the family's bickering. The whole first scene of the play made me feel like I was listening to a family on the verge of destruction. The parents fought, still lived with extended family, and had another child coming on the way. By the end of the play, the happy family was still arguing even as they were setting off onto their new life. the arguments make me think that they symbolize unity. Though thick and thin, they were a family and they were going to fight with each other in one way or another. The more symbolic symbol (I swear it makes sense) is the plant that Mama cares for. Mama mentions, almost as a side thought, that "if this little old plant don't get more sun than it's been getting it ain't never going to see spring again" (Hansberry 448). The plant is near death, and the family seems the same way. As the family is packing at the end of the play, Mama is making everyone aware that she has carefully packaged the plant for when they move. This act symbolizes how Mama has "packaged" all of her family for the journey ahead, and how their family will survive the new start. The play finally concludes with Mama grabbing the plant and closing the apartment door. Mama has guided her family, taken care of it with love and attention, and carried them with her to a new life.