Lorraine Hansberry

National Geographic Learning National Geographic Learning

The Younger family is very poor until Mama inherits $10,000. Will the money make all of their dreams come true, or will it tear the family apart?

A Raisin in the Sun

Sabrina D. 

And you—ain't you bitter, man? Ain't you just about had it yet? Don't you see no stars gleaming that you can't reach out and grab? You happy?—You contented son-of-a-bitch—you happy? You got it made? Bitter? Man, I'm a volcano. Bitter? Here I am a giant— surrounded by ants! Ants who cant even understand what it is the giant is talking about.

clara

Beneatha: Love him? There is nothing left to love.

Mama: There is always something left to love. And if you ain't learned that, you ain't learned nothing. (…) Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody? Well then, you ain't through learning - because that ain't the time at all. It's when he's at his lowest and can't believe in hisself 'cause the world done whipped him so! when you starts measuring somebody, measure him right, child, measure him right. Make sure you done taken into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is.

It isn't a circle--it is simply a long line--as in geometry, you know, one that reaches into infinity. And because we cannot see the end--we also cannot see how it changes. And it is very odd by those who see the changes--who dream, who will not give up--are called idealists...and those who see only the circle we call them the "realists"!

Bekki

George (Looking at him with distaste, a little above it all): You're all whacked up with bitterness, man. 

Walter (Intently, almost quietly, between the teeth, glaring at the boy): And you - ain't you bitter man? 

Don't you see no stars gleaming that you can't reach out and grab? You happy? You content son of a bitch - you happy? You got it made? 

Bitter? man, I'm a volcano. Bitter? Here I am a giant - surrounded by ants! Ants who can't even understand what it is the giant is talking about..

George: thanks. Good night. (half out the door, he reopens it. To Walter:) Good night Prometheus! 

Ruth: I don't know. Don't worry about it. 

Walter (In fury, pointing after George): see there - they get to a point where they can't insult you man to man - they got to go talk about something ain't nobody never heard of! 

A Raisin in the Sun quotes

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