Materialism VS Spirituality in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1685 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/04/01 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: A Raisin in the Sun Essay Did you like this example? A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry in the 1950s, is a play that is based on the life of an African-American family known as the Youngers, who live in the South Side of Chicago and are waiting to receive a life insurance check for ten thousand dollars. The play highlights the dreams of each family member and their plans on how they intend to use the money from the death of Mr. Younger, Mamas husband. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Materialism VS Spirituality in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry" essay for you Create order Mama, or Lena, wishes to use the money to purchase a new home for the benefit of the family in which her daughter-in-law Ruth agrees. Beneatha or Bennie, her daughter, wants the money to pay for her medical school tuition, while Walter Lee or Walter, Mamas son has a great interest in using the money to open a liquor shop. These dreams result in conflict between the family and pose a question of whether Walter Lee and Beneathas intent for the use of the money is more important than the unity of the family. The play, A Raisin in the Sun, encompasses a poem, Harlem (A Dream Deferred), which is written by Langston Hughes and compares the familys dreams to a raisin being in the sun. The poem presents how dreams are either substantial and benefit everyone or unbeneficial with no concern of others. Hansberrys play portrays greed and traces the level of importance each family member holds their dreams which presents to the theme of materialism. In the long run, materialism breaks a person me ntally, spiritually and emotionally and is present in Walter Lee and Beneatha- at a lesser extent. However, through the love of a devoted Christian mother their materialistic trait can be forgiven and restored, as Mama represents a type of Christ throughout the play. In the beginning of the play, Walter Lees self-centered and money craving attributes are portrayed during his conversation with his wife Ruth: WALTER: A man needs for a woman to back him up RUTH: Walter WALTER: Mama would listen to you. You know she listen to you more than she do me and Bennie. She think more of you. All you have to do is just sit down with her when you drinking your coffee one morning and talking bout things like you do and† [He sits down beside her and demonstrates graphically what he thinks her method and tone should be.] †you just sip your coffee, see, and say easy like that you been thinking bout that deal Walter Lee is so interested in, bout the store and all. (278; 1.1) The reason behind Walter Lee encouraging his wife to tell his dream to Mama is because of the strong relationship Ruth and Mama has throughout the play. Their relationship is like that of Naomi and Ruth in the Bible; Ruth 1: 3-5 in the amplified Bible says: Then Elimelech, Naomis husband, died, and she was left [a widow] with her two sons. They took wives from the Moabite women; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there about ten years; 5 and then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so the woman [Naomi] was left without her two sons and her husband. Just as Mamas husband dies, so does Ruths husbands spirituality; this is true because, instead of Walter Lee being concerned with the human spirit or soul, he is focused on material and physical things. Also 1 Timothy 6:10-11 says: For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows. But as for you, O man of God, flee from these things; aim at and pursue righteousness [true goodness, moral conformity to the character of God], godliness [the fear of God], faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. Also, in Luke 12 of the amplified, it says, watch out and guard yourselves against every form of greed, for not even when one has an overflowing abundance does his life consists of nor is it derived from his possessions. These scriptures highlight Walter Lees excessive greed for money and the sorrows he faces when his friend Willy Harris runs off with his share of money from the insurance check. The scriptures also shed light on how a great desire for wealth with the limited presence of God leads to ones destruction and immoral actions. The lack of spiritual respect is a result of ones materialistic trait and this is represented through Bennie when she blatantly called on the Lords name in vain. After Bennie was scolded by Mama, Ruth made a statement Just fresh as salt, this girl! Bennie responded in an ironically humorous way saying, Well- if the salt loses its savor. Mama then replied, now that will do. I just aint going to have you round here reciting scriptures in vain (288; 1.1). The scripture Bennie quoted, Matthew 5:13 states, you are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people. Beneatha uses this scripture- a biblical metaphor as it relates to the play, to justify her actions and implies if she cannot state her point of view then she is considered to have no value. Regarding lack of spiritual respect, Beneatha only repeated the scripture to show her knowledge of the Bible but beh ind saying it she has no connection to the religious message. In Act 1, Scene 1, Beneatha shows her true feelings towards God in the following exchange: MAMA: [Kindly.] Course you going to be a doctor, honey, God willing. BENEATHA: [Drily.] God hasnt got a thing to do with it. MAMA: Beneath†that just wasnt necessary. BENEATHA: Well neither is God. I get sick of hearing about God. (291; 1.1) On the other hand, Mama, exemplifies spirituality over materialism and stays true to her faith in God. When her daughter-in-law Ruth asks her What are you going to do with it? Mama replied, Its too early in the morning to be talking about money. It aint Christian (284; 1.1). Mamas mention of Its too early and It aint Christian explicitly justifies that Mama was not all about the money and it(money) should not be the first thing that comes to ones mind. Mamas statement opens the path to portray her Christ-like attributes of sovereignty, forgiveness and unconditioned love towards her children. Just as Mama cares for her children she also cares or her plant, which in the play is used as a literary symbol to represent Walter Lee and Beneatha. As roverbs 22: 6 says, train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek Gods wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], even when he is old he will not depart from it. This verse in Proverbs relates to Mamas exchange with Ruth in Act 1, Scene 2 about her concerns of Bennie and Walter Lee: RUTH: [Soothingly, older than her years.] Now you taking it all too seriously. You just got strong-willed children and it takes a strong woman like you to keep em in hand. MAMA: [Looking at her plant and sprinkling water on it.] They spirited all right, my children. Got to admit they got spirit Bennie and Walter Lee. Like this little old plant that aint never had enough sunshine or nothing and look at it ¦ (292; 1.1) Despite betrayal and inconsideration in Walter Lees actions and Beneathas blasphemy of God Mamas love through Christ exhibits the importance of love and unity within a family. In Matthew 26:14 of the amplified Bible. The scripture quotes: Then one of the twelve [disciples], who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief riests and said, what are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you? And they eighed out [a]thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment Judas began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus. Beneathas reply to Mr. Lindners offer to pay the family to leave Clybourne Park a predominantly white community to live in a black community alludes to the previous mentioned scripture. When the offer was presented, Beneatha replies, Thirty pieces and not a coin less! (333; 2.3). This is a biblical allusion of when Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and the path to Jesus crucifixion also relating to Walter Lees downfall. Thirty pieces of silver was the price Judas was paid to hand Jesus over to Pilates soldiers. Just like Walter Lee, Judas made an ultimate betrayal to Jesus and returned the money out of guilt after Jesus was arrested. It wasnt until he saw the consequences of his actions then he realized not that enough money in the world would justify his action to make such a betrayal. Also, in the end, out of guilt and disappointment for losing the insurance money, Walter Lee calls Mr. Linder to advise him that the family would like to take the offer. Based on the song I Dont Feel No Way Tired which Ruth sang in the end of Act 1, Scene 2 exemplifies the familys restoration as they leave their old house. If the family had decided to move out of Clybourne Park, the decision would disregard the familys worth of moving into a predominately white community as a Black family; and their journey to regained unity and love for one another through Mamas forgiveness, unconditioned love, and steadfast faith in God. Lastly, it is important to know that our plans are not Gods plans and that with little involvement of Him, all dreams are compared to a raisin being in the sun and sometimes deferred. The Youngers aspired to nothing more than the crass materialistic prosperity that white Americans enjoyed, which was a rather shallow goal (Kelly 269). Even though the play is not based off biblical concept, Hansberrys execution of the play, written in the 1950s can be related universally as it traces the importance of a unified family.

Cancer A Common Disease - 1135 Words

Today all around the world cancer is increasingly a more common disease that has affected many and affecting more each day. Cancer takes the lives of almost ten millions each year. Cancer is a disease that is caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells that divide exponentially. It has the ability to spread to different parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer has become such a common disease that it can be inherited by genetics, but it can also be contracted by poor dieting, tobacco use, expulsion to UV rays, and X-Rays, and also environmental carcinogens. With every disease come many forms of signs and symptoms. Symptoms of cancers vary from women and men, but unexplained weight loss, fever, usually fatigues, skin changes, change of bowel habits, and sores that do not heals are some of many symptoms of cancer. Seeking cancer treatment may be a life or death decision. There are many ways to treat cancer or reduce the chance of death. Cancer is highly tr eatable; two best options treating cancer are typically surgery and chemotherapy. Cancer is mainly known as a large group of unregulated cell growth. Cancerous cells can form, divide, and grow uncontrollably throughout the body, which forms tumors that could become progressively worse by time. There are two types of tumors linked to cancer also known as malignant and benign tumors. Malignant tumors invade the nearby parts of the body, and may also spread to more distant parts of the body throughShow MoreRelatedBreast Cancer : A Common Disease1910 Words   |  8 PagesCancer is a common disease in today’s society, more specifically breast cancer. We see people with little pink ribbons or a dedicated shirts to it on the street, stickers on cars, we even have a whole month dedicated to raise awareness about it, but what really is breast cancer? How long has it been around? How does it affect its victim? Breast cancer is not a modern discovery and has been documented since ancient times, in almost every period of history. Unlike internal cancers, breast cancer isRead MoreLung Cancer : A Common Malignant Disease794 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Lung cancer is a very common malignant disease around the world, which is mainly caused by long-term exposure to tobacco smoke (85% of all cases). [1] It is reported by WHO that, globally in 2012, 1.8 million people suffered from lung cancer, and 1.6 million patients died of lung cancer. [2] In cancer-related death all around the world, lung cancer ranks the top in men and second in women, only after breast cancer. [3] Statistically, 17.4% of lung cancer patients in the United StatesRead MoreCancer : The Common Forms Of Disease Worldwide982 Words   |  4 PagesCancer is one of the most common forms of disease worldwide; approximately 25 percent of deaths within the United States are related to cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers within men, while breast cancer is commonly diagnosed within women. The most common cancers observed in both men and women include pancreatic, and lung and bronchus cancers.1 Once a person has been diagnosed with cancer, the person may be advised to generally undergo the following treatmentRead MoreLung Cancer Is One Of Many Common Diseases. About Two And2088 Words   |  9 PagesLung cancer is one of many common diseases. About two and twenty thousand cases of lung cancer, affecting men and women, were predicted for the year twenty seventeen. This statistic was estimated by the american cancer society. Of these people, about one hundred and fifty six thousand will not survive.There are many symptoms, as well as advanced stage symptoms that people should be aware of. Many of the signs of lung cancer, are simple things some people may not even notice, such as: coughing, exhaustionRead MoreA Short Note On Lymphoma, A Cancer1021 Words   |  5 PagesLymphoma, a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes, is the most common blood cancer. Hodgkin lymphoma is one of two common types of lymphoma that considered to be one of the most curable forms of cancer. This research paper is going to introduce Hodgkin Lymphoma in several aspects in order to give an overview of the cancer. What is the type of the cancer? Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of human body’s immune system (Mayo ClinicRead MoreCancer : A Type Of Disease1203 Words   |  5 PagesResearch Paper: Cancer Cancer, is a type of disease that involves abnormal cell growth and has the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Not all tumors are cancerous, there is one type that is not cancerous; benign tumors (which do not spread to other parts of the body). Possible signs and symptoms include: a distinct lump, a lengthened cough, irregular bleeding, unexplained weight loss, a difference in bowel movements, and many others. While these symptoms may cause cancer, they mayRead MoreEssay On Being Cautious About Cancer758 Words   |  4 PagesBeing Cautious About Cancer An informative article by: Nelson Burke Introduction Disease is defined as a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment. Simplified, disease is when something goes wrong with the body of an organism due to either a genetic, or externalRead More##ome-Wide Association Studies : The Human Genome Model For Disease786 Words   |  4 Pagesof patients suffering from a specific disease, to look for shared mutations within their genomes (Bush et al., 2012, p.1). These shared mutations are then investigated to assure their direct correlation with the disease, in which this mutation can be used to diagnose future patients by identifying the same mutation in their genome sequence (Bush et al, 2012, p. 3). Occasionally, it is identified that multiple mutations within the genome lead to the same disease (Bush et al., 2012, p.1). In cases whereRead MoreEssay about Prostate Cancer1002 Words   |  5 PagesProstate Cancer Eng 101 Andrell Nash Fortis College Abstract Prostate Cancer is a disease in which there is an uncontrolled growth of cells that lines the ducts of the prostate gland. The abnormal cells can spread throughout the prostate and nearby organs, such as the seminal vesicles. If not caught early they can spread (metastasized) to other organs of the body through the lymph or blood stream. (â€Å"...Treatment...† 13) Prostate Cancer can be like a silent killer. Some may show signs and symptomsRead MoreEssay about The Risk Factors of Breast Cancer1244 Words   |  5 PagesBreast cancer is the second leading cancer killer among women, after lung cancer (Breast Cancer , 2014). Cancer is a word that puts fear in many people, especially if they have family members who have either died or survived the disease. No one wants to hear that he or she has been diagnosed with any disease, especially cancer. Many women do not take breast cancer serious until they are diagnosed. Sadly, once diagnosed with this epidemic, a person’s life is altered forever. Breast cancer does not

A reasoned evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses in Marxism, Functionalism and Feminism Free Essays

A sociological theory is a set of ideas that provide an explanation for human society. In undertaking an accurate interpretation of three sociological perspectives, I will make a reasoned evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses in Marxism, Functionalism and Feminism. From the three chosen sociological perspectives I will also look at their individual views on religion and the family. We will write a custom essay sample on A reasoned evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses in Marxism, Functionalism and Feminism or any similar topic only for you Order Now SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES MARXISM Marxism named after its founder Karl Marx (1818 – 1883) is very famous and influential. Marx regarded people as both producers and the products of society, he believed since people made society, only they can change it. He argued that ‘man makes his own history’. Marx believed that the rich would get richer (bourgeois – ruling class) and that the poor would get poorer (proletariat – subordinate /working class). He proposed that the proletariat would revolt in anger, leading to a revolution, resulting in the disappearance of the social class system and that people would live in a more equal society. Max Weber (1864 – 1920) agreed with Marx, however he also stressed the importance of status and power (i.e. an individual may be poor but have high status, such as a teacher). His views on religion differed to that of Marx too, arguing that it could be a source of conflict and change rather than a source of stability or social control. Key Names: Ma rk, Engels, Young and Taylor. FUNCTIONALISM Society is viewed as a system, that is, as a set of interconnected parts that together form a whole. Functionalists believe that society has basic needs, which must be met if it is to continue to exist. It believes the concept of function i.e. the function of the family is to ensure the continuity of society by reproducing and socializing new members and the function of religion is to integrate the social system by reinforcing common values. Key Names: Durkheim, Merton, Murdock, Malinowski and Parsons. FEMINISM The basic assumption shared by all feminists is that women suffer certain injustices on account of their sex. Feminist sociology, stresses the importance of gender divisions in society and it portrays these divisions as working to the overall advantage to men. Although feminists are united by their common desire for sexual justice and their concern for women’s welfare, there is actually a wide spectrum of ‘feminisms’ (Mitchell and Oakley, 1986). These can be divided into four broad ‘tendencies’: liberal, radical, Marxist/socialist and Black. STRENGTHS MARXISM Critical of Capitalism. In favour of the average person in society. Economic base or infrastructure and Political/Ideological superstructure. Social Structure (Macro Approach). FUNCTIONALISM Functional Imperatives: Goal Attainment, Adaptation, Integration and Latency. Functional sub-systems: Economic, Political, Family and Religion. FEMINISM Has done a lot to improve things for women over the years. Focuses on male/female relationships. Looks at laws needed/ used to ‘redress’ male/female power balance (equal legal protection and social rights). WEAKNESSES MARXISM Too many inconsistencies and interpretations of Marx’s work. Unscientific (the ‘Faith of Marxism’ – Popper). Conspiracy theory (especially aimed at instrumental Marxists). Communism does not appear about to happen. Forms of (non-economic) conflict (gender, ethnic group) ignored in favour of economic conflicts. Left Functionalism (‘Marxism is little more than a form of Functionalism that replaces the interest of ‘society’ with ‘ruling class’ – Jock Young). Modern society is more complex than Marx predicted. Comparatively dated theories. Critics: Popper, Weber, Young (‘Left Idealism’), any New Right Theorist, Social biologists and Radical Feminists. FUNCTIONALISM Functionalists find it hard to explain rapid social change. They believe that ‘if something exists it has a function. It has a function because it exists’. The belief that non-human things like ‘society’ can have human qualities such as ‘needs and purposes’. Over-emphasis upon the ‘beneficial’ aspects of institutions and structures. Believing that society revolves around family unit – but not willing to recognise that not all people worldwide – belong to a family unit – yet function well. Critics: Marxist Sociologists, Radical and Marxist Feminists. FEMINISM Women – like working class men – are at a fundamental economic disadvantage; although Feminists refuse to see that. Legal changes mainly benefited middle class women. Legal equality not the same as status equality. Ignores study of social structural factors (e.g. class). Feminism geared towards middle class feminists (Bourgeois). Men are seen as the ‘enemy’ (Marxist Feminism). Critics: Radical Feminists and New Right of Liberal Feminists and New Right, Marxist/Socialist Feminists of Radical Feminists. STRUCTURAL VIEWS ON RELIGION AND THE FAMILY Religions, families and societies have been around for a very long time. Unsurprisingly, we find family units and religions present in all known societies, and consequently, families and religion have a social impact. Everyone has their own view of what religion and the family consists of. These pre conceived ides are mostly to do with our own backgrounds, culture and life experiences. There is a lot of disagreement among sociologists about the roles of religion and the family within society; we will look at three sociological perspectives: RELIGION MARXISM In Marx’s view, ‘Man makes religion, religion does not make man’. In other words, religion is the self-conscious and the self-feeling of man who has either not found himself or has already lost himself again. ‘Truly liberated individuals have no need of religion’. Thus, if the alienation and exploitation associated with the classes are eradicated, and people are freed to develop their human potential and find themselves, as in a truly socialist society, religion will no longer be needed and will cease to exist. Marx and Engels believed that religion represented a protest against a dehumanising social world and human alienation, it also leads people into false hopes and direction, along with the ‘solutions’ it promises that are illusory. It obscures and distorts the true nature of reality in ways that benefit the ruling class. Marx anticipated that when a classless society was established, religion would disappear. FUNCTIONALISM Whereas Durkheim sees religion as an expression and celebration of people’s sociality. Religion creates order and stability in society; it can be an agent of socialization and create a sense of social solidarity. Malinowski accepted like Durkheim that religion creates social solidarity but he believed that religion is a response to peoples needs during stress (e.g. birth and death). Parsons believed the role of religion served two functions, one to provide guidelines (behaviour in society) and the other is to answer ultimate questions. FEMINISM Religion is seen as an instrument of oppression, as a product of patriarchy rather than a product of capitalism. Religion is used by oppressors (men) to control the oppressed group (women), and it also serves as a way of compensating women for their second-class status. In most typical religions of the last millennium women are subservient and secondary to men (i.e. Catholic church and Muslims). THE FAMILY MARXISM The Marxists position asserts that the nuclear family is not universal but a product of capitalism and that the family is an exploitative institution. Murdock’s theory is critised because he didn’t consider that other social institutions could have performed the functions and he does not examine other alternatives to the family. In Engels theory he suggested that the main reason that the family developed was to solve the problem of inheritance, also that the family was the most efficient device for insuring legitimacy of the proposed heirs. Engels theory was largely based on a flawed interpretation of the family by Anthropologist, Lewis Morgan (1900). FUNCTIONALISM A strong supporter of the family is the Functionalist. Their belief is that the family is the ‘cornerstone of society’. A study was conducted on the family, studying 250 societies by George Murdock (Social Structure 1949). In his study, he concluded that the ‘nuclear family is a universal human social grouping †¦. It exists as a distinct and strongly functional group in every known society’. Murdock identifies four basic functions that the family performs: sexual, reproductive, economic and educational. Fellow functionalist Talcott Parsons would largely agree with Murdock’s theories of the family. FEMINISM Feminists’ criticise the family as the focus on the exploitation of women by men, they argue that men dominate family relationships. Radical feminists argue that in it’s most extreme form this means oppression and violence (Russell Dobash, 1980). Evidence to suggest that women are dissatisfied in their family life is portrayed in the rise of divorces filed by women. Parson’s theory of the family being a safe haven is more myth than reality for families today. Feminist Margaret Benson focuses mainly only the point that women are a source of cheap labour, as the housewife is unpaid for her work. In the family women are primarily seen as a housewife and mother, and in this environment men are given the control over women’s sexuality and fertility. EVALUATION The different aspects of religion have a social impact and must be measured. Through out history there is considerable evidence to support Marx’s ideology, that religion maintains the existing system of exploitation and reinforces class relationship, thereby keeping people in their place (consider the Islamic world). However, conflicting evidence suggests that religion does not always legitimate power (Catholicism – Pope – Rome). Whilst Feminism implies that religion and belief systems are an instrument of manipulation for men to use on women; although I believe this theory to be the case for some religions but not all. It can vary from religion to religion, for example women cannot become priests in the Roman Catholic or Greek and Russian Orthodox churches, but in the Jewish faith women can become rabbis and do not sit apart from men. Contrary to Marxist views that religion suppresses people’ attempts to change their situation, religion can sometimes provide an impetus for change (Queen Mary – Catholicism and Queen Elizabeth I – Protestant). The Functionalist perspective of belief systems and religion does not vindicate for the dysfunctional aspects that the unruly force of religion can manifest (i.e. war in the name of ‘Religion’). The subject of the family and how it is defined is extremely difficult to determine. Marxists position asserts that the nuclear family is not universal but a product of capitalism and that the family is an exploitive institution, and that it was the simplest solution for insuring legitimacy of proposed heirs. Whereby Functionalism is a strong supporter of the family, believing it to be the ‘cornerstone’ of society. Feminists’ criticise the family as the focus on the exploitation of women by men, they argue that men dominate family relationships. CONCLUSION Everyone has their own view of what religion and the family consists of. These pre conceived ideas are mostly to do with our own backgrounds, culture and life experiences. I find it difficult to subscribe to one theory over another as Functionalist, Marxist and Feminist theories can be interpreted in many different ways. Consequently each theory’s perspective will work for their interpretation of religion, the family and society. The three theories are not too dissimilar to the three main Political Parties (Labour, Conservative and Liberal) in Britain; each has it’s own agenda, but are all are equally as devious! I am more inclined to opt for the Feminist and Marxist theories as they seem more plausible and are more comparative to past history and present day findings. I also believe that as societies cultures change through time, so will our definition of family, religion and society. How to cite A reasoned evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses in Marxism, Functionalism and Feminism, Papers