Read the following excerpt from the ending of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun: MAMA (Quietly, woman to woman) He finally come into his manhood today, didn't he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain . . . RUTH (Biting her lip lest her own pride explode in front of MAMA) Yes, Lena. (WALTER'S voice calls for them raucously) WALTER (Off stage) Y'all come on! These people charges by the hour, you know! MAMA (Waving RUTH out vaguely) All right, honey — go on down. I be down directly. (RUTH hesitates, then exits. MAMA stands, at last alone in the living room, her plant on the table before her as the lights start to come down. She looks around at all the walls and ceilings and suddenly, despite herself, while the children call below, a great heaving thing rises in her and she puts her fist to her mouth to stifle it, takes a final desperate look, pulls her coat about her, pats her hat and goes out. The lights dim down. The door opens and she comes back in, grabs her plant, and goes out for the last time) Curtain How does this excerpt contribute to the theme of A Raisin in the Sun? What aesthetic impact did the author intend it to have on the reader? Be sure to use specific details from the text to support your answer.
O A. By having Walter take charge on moving day, the author restores
his rightful position as the "man of the house."
O B. By Mama's use of the simile "like a rainbow after the rain" to
describe Walter's action, the author shows that Walter will leave
soon.
C. By having Ruth feel pride toward Walter after her initial
indifference, the author leaves the reader satisfied.
O D. By showing Mama more vulnerable than she has been presented
earlier in the play, the reader feels disappointed by her weakness.
B. By Mama's use of the simile "like a rainbow after the rain" to describe Walter's action, the author shows that Walter will leave soon.
In this excerpt, Mama reflects on Walter finally coming into his manhood and taking charge on moving day. By comparing this moment to a rainbow after the rain, Mama suggests that Walter's growth and maturity have come after a period of struggle and hardship. The use of this simile conveys a sense of hope and renewal, indicating that even in the face of adversity, there is still the possibility for beauty and growth. This contributes to the overall theme of the play, which explores the struggles and aspirations of the Younger family as they strive for a better life.
The author likely intended this moment to have an aesthetic impact on the reader by evoking feelings of optimism and resilience. The image of a rainbow after the rain is a powerful symbol of transformation and hope, prompting the reader to reflect on the characters' journeys and the potential for new beginnings. Overall, this excerpt reinforces the theme of perseverance and the possibility of a brighter future, despite the challenges that the Younger family faces.