Symbolism

There are many symbols in the novel A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. One symbol in the novel is the plant. The plant symbolizes hope. Throughout the course of the novel, the plant symbolizes her hope for a better life for her family. Mama is constantly watering the plant symbolizing her always trying to to nurture her family and make them grow closer together. The fact that the plant is always in the darkness symbolizes the darkness that the Younger family is stuck in. The fact that even though Mama continues to water the plant in the darkness, she never gives up hope on her family. It also shows how she is constantly caring for her family. Even when Mama tries to leave the plant behind at the old to symbolize her leaving her behind, she goes back and gets the plant. After she leaves the plant behind, "The door opens and she comes back in, grabs her plant, and goes out for the last time," (Hansberry, 151). She takes the plant with her because it symbolizes the struggles that their family has overcome and the constant love that she has had and will always have for her family.