초록 열기/닫기 버튼
Studies of the contemporary Afro-American family have focussed mainly on two points of discussion: is black society matriarchal, and as a consequence, is the black man emasculated? The female-dominated or matriarchal structure in Afro-American family dates back to the time of slavery, in which the black man was no longer allowed to play his role as patriarch of the family, and was developed a strong bond between a mother, as the sole authority figure, and her children. This emasculation/matriarchy theme applies basically to the female characters in A Raisin in the Sun. The play centers around a mother, a daughter-in-law, and a daughter, who represent three desperate types of black woman in America. The archetypal mother, Lena Younger, maintains her role, a matriarchal figure as the head of the family until shortly before the end of the story. Although Lena wants to convey to her family dignity and decency, self-respect, confidence and contentment. On the negative side, Lena tries to impose her values on the children and overplays her role as matriarch. Ruth dominates her son Travis in the same way Lena treated Walter. She strives for upward mobility within the social structure of the American society. In a parellel to Lena, Ruth contributes to Walter's weakness of character. Beneatha typifies the young revolutionary and radical intellectual. Her plans for an independent professional life also create conflicts in her relationship with her brother, Walter. Beneatha is in constant conflict because Beneatha considers herself superior intellectually, and he feels helpless rage against her unconventionality and relative freedom. Hansberry did not intend to blame them for the black man's emasculation, but just presents these three characters in the context of the changing reality of modern America.
키워드열기/닫기 버튼
matriarchal structure, emasculation/matriarchy theme, Hansberry, Afro-American woman
