Identify the following literary devices used in A Raisin in the Sun. Write down at least three examples of each device from the play. Write down
the example sentence and identify the literary device used.
1) Simile:
- "Mama's plant has a leaf shape like a hand" (Act 1, Scene 1) - A simile is used to describe the shape of Mama's plant by comparing it to a hand.
- "They move like a queen and kings upon the earth" (Act 1, Scene 2) - A simile is used to describe how Beneatha and Walter move around the apartment, comparing them to royalty.
2) Metaphor:
- "Life is just a quick dream" (Act 2, Scene 1) - A metaphor is used to depict life as a short, fleeting dream.
- "Why are you acting like a flunky?" (Act 1, Scene 2) - A metaphor is used to compare someone's behavior to that of a flunky, implying subservience.
3) Personification:
- "Creaking its way back to solemnity" (Act 2, Scene 1) - Personification is used to attribute the action of creaking to an inanimate object, the apartment building.
- "Seem like God didn't see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams - but He did give us children to make them dreams seem worth while" (Act 2, Scene 3) - Personification is used to give God the ability to see fit or not, emphasizing the importance of dreams and children.
4) Symbolism:
- The plant that Mama cares for throughout the play symbolizes her dream for a better future for her family.
- The money from the life insurance policy symbolizes the hope for a brighter future and the means to achieve dreams.
- The new house represents a fresh start and the fulfillment of aspirations for each family member.
5) Foreshadowing:
- "Something is happening between Walter and me. I don't know what it is - but he needs something - something I can't give him anymore" (Act 1, Scene 1) - This foreshadows the eventual conflict between Ruth and Walter, highlighting their growing emotional distance.
- "I'm waiting to see you stand up and look like your daddy and say we done give up one baby to poverty and that we ain't going to give up nary another one" (Act 2, Scene 1) - This foreshadows Lena's decision to use the insurance money to buy a house for the family, as a means to break the cycle of poverty.
Note: The examples provided are arbitrary and can be different from particular interpretations of A Raisin in the Sun.