45 Ideas of ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ Paper Topics for Students

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Lorraine Hansberry was the first African-American dramatist to perform a play in Broadway. ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ raises a lot of social topics such as gender roles, racial segregation, the dependence of personal development on material problems, and many other controversial issues.
For the purpose of helping students write great essays about this play, our service summarized and included all good essay topics for ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ in one list.

Before you go through the topic ideas, look at the significant symbols of the play. Analyzing Lorraine Hansberry’s symbolism is an invaluable step in writing an impressive paper.

Symbolism in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’

Mama’s Plant

The plant symbolizes dreams and Mama’s care for her family members. It is also a symbol of the Youngers who often go through difficult challenges in life, such as racial prejudice. The plant lacks sun and other vital elements yet continues to grow.

Beneatha’s Hair

It is the symbol of African heritage and Bebeatha’s desire to dig deeper into her family roots. We see the transition from artificially styled and straightened hair to a new haircut and natural forms. She no longer wants to be under the pressure of mainstream culture. She is proud of her heritage.

‘A Raisin in the Sun’ Writing Topics

1. How does Lorraine Hansberry reveal the conflict between Walter Lee and society in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’?
2. What role does the family play in the plot or characterization in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’?
3. Comparison of how characters manage with economic hardship in the novel ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ by John Steinbeck and the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ by Lorraine Hansberry.
4. How do characters from ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ try to fulfill the American Dream?
5. The symbol of Mama’s plant in ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’ How does this symbol develop throughout the drama?
6. The symbols and their support of the key themes in ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
7. How does the poem ‘Harlem’ by Langston Hughes relate to the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ by Lorraine Hansberry?
8. The contributing moments of the character’s development in the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
9. The opening poem by Langston Hughes and how it relates to the play ‘Raisin in the Sun’ and its themes.
10. The contradictions and complexities in the character of Walter Younger in ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’ What relationships does he have with other members of his family?
11. How does the author reveal the subject of racism in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’?
12. Elements of folklore and African-American traditions in ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
13. A literary comparison of ‘A Raisin in the Sun,’ ‘Death of a Salesman,’ and ‘A Rose for Emily.’
14. Where did the title of the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ come from? How did it relate to each of the characters’ dreams?
15. What is Roe vs. Wade in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’? Would Lorraine Hansberry be an opponent or proponent of the Roe vs. Wade decision?
16. A literary comparison of the novella ‘The Metamorphosis’ and the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
17. Does ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ reflect the period in which it was written? How does this play relate to current times?
18. Psychoanalysis of the conflicts that attached main characters: Mama Lena, Beneatha, Ruth, Walter, and Asagai from ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
19. Themes of work and success in the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
20. How does money affect different characters in the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun’?
21. The theme of justice in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and ‘A Doll’s House.’
22. Comparison of plays ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and ‘Awake and Sing!’
23. Comparison of key ideas in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and ‘Clybourne Park’ plays.

Oral Topics of ‘A Raisin in the Sun’

1. Describe the character of Mama from ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’ How does she behave towards her family?
2. The visual appearance of the characters in the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and how it symbolizes the play’s themes.
3. Analysis of the effects of symbolism in the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ on the reader’s experience.
4. The main characteristics of Beneatha and Ruth from ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ by Lorraine Hansberry. What unites them or makes them separate?
5. Analysis of dialogues between Walter and Ruth. How do conversations reveal their relationship?
6. What does sunlight symbolize in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’?
7. The progress of each character’s thinking in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ by the end of the play.
8. Comparison of the transverse ideas in ‘The Princess and the Frog’ and ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
9. The conflict between Beneatha’s thinking and reality. How does this conflict reveal the impossibility of fulfilling the American Dream?
10. Comparison of the play to the 2008 TV film version of ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
11. How does the author describe the role of the woman in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’?
12. The way the author addresses the topic of racial segregation in ‘A Raisin in the Sun.’
13. Reflect on the cast and their performance in ‘Raisin in the Sun’ at Arena Stage in Washington.
14. Why does Walter Younger defer his dreams in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’?
15. ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ as a breakthrough in African-American literature of the 20th century.
16. The way ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ depicts the aspects of the American Dream.
17. Imaginative response on a character’s routine in ‘Raisin in the Sun.’
18. Comparison of ‘The House on Mango Street’ and ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ throughout gender roles.
19. The concept of home in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and its impact on a reader.
20. ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and the importance of dreams.
21. The values that ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ supports.
22. What might the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ contribute to readers’ understanding of the psychological and emotional effects of racial discrimination?

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