Folkloric Elements in A Raisin in the Sun
This paper examines the folkloric elements embedded in Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun, drawing on the American Folklore Society's definition of folklore as traditional art, literature, knowledge, and practices transmitted through oral communication and behavioral example. The analysis covers four primary folkloric dimensions: oral tradition as embodied in the legend of Big Walter, cultural customs as demonstrated through Beneatha's engagement with African heritage, symbolic beliefs represented by Mama's plant, and the use of irony to highlight intergenerational tensions between traditional values and modern aspirations. Together, these elements reveal how Hansberry uses folklore to shape character identity, preserve communal memory, and portray the shared cultural heritage of the African American community.
- Introduction: Defines folklore and introduces Hansberry's play
- The Tapestry of Oral Tradition: Big Walter legend as communal oral memory
- Cultural Customs and African Heritage: Beneatha's African customs and identity
- Symbols, Beliefs, and Irony in the Play: Mama's plant, superstition, and generational irony
- Conclusion: Folklore unifies identity and cultural heritage
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper grounds its literary analysis in a precise, sourced definition of folklore from the American Folklore Society, giving the argument a clear theoretical anchor from the outset.
- Each folkloric category — oral tradition, customs, symbols, and irony — is illustrated with specific textual evidence from the play, including act and page references, which keeps the argument concrete and verifiable.
- The paper situates its analysis in a broader cultural and historical context by connecting Beneatha's African-heritage exploration to the Black Arts Movement, demonstrating awareness of extra-literary scholarship.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper models thematic close reading: it identifies a conceptual framework (the AFS definition of folklore), breaks that framework into discrete components, and then maps each component onto specific scenes, characters, and objects in the play. This technique allows a broad cultural claim to be supported through granular textual analysis rather than general assertion.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a theoretical introduction defining folklore and previewing the paper's analytical categories. The second section treats oral tradition through the legend of Big Walter, drawing on Hurston and Bronner. The third section addresses Beneatha's engagement with African customs and the Black Arts Movement. The fourth section covers symbolic beliefs (Mama's plant) and then pivots to the role of irony in linking all folkloric elements together. A brief conclusion synthesizes the argument. This progression moves from narrative folklore to material/symbolic folklore, building in complexity.
Introduction
The American Folklore Society (AFS) defines folklore as "the traditional art, literature, knowledge, and practices that are disseminated largely through oral communication and behavioral example." This definition encapsulates the wealth of cultural elements, beliefs, practices, and norms that are passed down from generation to generation. Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun stands as a vivid representation of this definition. The play intricately entwines elements of folklore to shape the characters and their lives, reflecting the shared experiences of the African American community. This paper examines how oral traditional narratives, customs, symbols, and the use of irony are important factors in the weaving of folkloric elements throughout the play.
The Tapestry of Oral Tradition
The Younger family in A Raisin in the Sun resides amidst a woven tapestry of folklore, where tales, stories, and customs significantly shape their life experiences. One such instance involves the narrative of Big Walter. According to the American Folklore Society, oral tradition — an essential element of folklore — is classified as "traditional sayings, proverbs, tales, myths, and legends orally passed down over generations." In the play, Mama fondly recollects how Big Walter exerted himself "to death" (Hansberry 42) in an attempt to provide for his family, thereby portraying an almost legendary figure whose memory profoundly impacts the family's choices and actions.
This use of oral tradition is not merely a storytelling tool for Hansberry; it is also a vehicle for shaping the identity of her characters, reflecting the importance of intergenerational narratives in the African American community. In a broader cultural context, scholars like Zora Neale Hurston have underscored the importance of oral tradition in African American literature, asserting that these stories serve as a cultural repository, preserving and conveying values, historical memory, and wisdom (Hurston).
Oral narratives such as the tale of Big Walter function as a form of communal memory, allowing successive generations to understand their past, contextualize their present, and envision their future. They carry valuable life lessons, moral codes, and cultural norms. The significance of these narratives extends beyond mere entertainment. As noted by Hurston, they are "the boiled-down juice of human living" (Hurston 98), encapsulating collective wisdom and experience. In Hansberry's play, the tale of Big Walter not only shapes the Younger family's understanding of work ethic and sacrifice but also influences their aspirations, decisions, and sense of responsibility.
These narratives underscore the collective nature of folklore, as every recollection adds a layer of shared experiences and values. Bronner has explained that folklore is a kind of community expression, and the study of folklore is the search for meaning in the context of community (24). The tale of Big Walter, as a form of folklore, therefore becomes a lens through which to understand the broader community values that shape the Younger family's experiences.
The folkloric element of oral tradition, as exemplified in A Raisin in the Sun, is thus an essential part of African American culture. It captures shared narratives of resilience, struggle, aspiration, and community spirit, illuminating the significance of storytelling in cultural preservation and identity formation. Through her characters and their stories, Hansberry provides a vivid insight into the rich tapestry of African American folklore.
Cultural Customs and African Heritage
The exploration and incorporation of customs is another essential facet of folklore according to the AFS, and it is woven throughout the narrative of A Raisin in the Sun. Described by the AFS as "traditional practices and habits," including "rites, rituals, and ceremonies," customs make a distinctive appearance in the play through the character of Beneatha. Her journey to rediscover her African roots reveals an active engagement with African customs, showcased through practices such as traditional dance and hair braiding.
Beneatha's exploration of her African roots reflects the broader cultural and historical context of African Americans' experiences. For many African Americans, customs and traditions have served as powerful means of connecting with their African heritage, offering a sense of identity and belonging. This cultural reconnection — also associated with the Black Arts Movement and the Afrocentric Movement — became prevalent during the 1960s and 1970s (Neal).
In the play, Beneatha's engagement with African dance and traditional attire serves as a vibrant, dynamic expression of this cultural reconnection. In Act II, when Beneatha dances to Nigerian music in traditional robes (Hansberry 78), it is not merely a form of entertainment or aesthetic spectacle. It is a powerful assertion of identity and cultural heritage, representing her journey to rediscover and embrace her roots. This scene also introduces a significant contrast with other characters in the play — particularly those adhering to more Westernized or Americanized lifestyles — further emphasizing how cultural customs shape individual identity and societal relationships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Raisin in the Sun is a neatly woven tapestry of folkloric elements that reaches deep into the elements of storytelling in all its forms to explore themes of life. The play resonates with the traditional beliefs, customs, and oral traditions of the African American community, revealing their importance in shaping identity and cultural understanding. Hansberry successfully integrates the various elements of folklore into her play, allowing them to drive the narrative and characterization while providing a deep insight into the folklore inherent within the African American community. This integration of folklore is not only reflective of the lived experiences of the characters but also serves as an authentic portrayal of a community's shared cultural heritage.
Works Cited
American Folklore Society. "What is Folklore?" 2021.
Bronner, Simon J. "Practice Theory in Folklore and Folklife Studies." Folklore 123.1 (2012): 23–47.
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Vintage, 2004.
Hurston, Zora Neale. "Characteristics of Negro Expression." African American Literary Theory: A Reader (1934): 31–44.
Neal, Larry. "The Black Arts Movement." The Drama Review 12.4 (1968): 29–39.
Rooks, Noliwe M. Hair Raising: Beauty, Culture, and African American Women. Rutgers University Press, 1996.
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