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Similes
Style
Explanation and Analysis:
It is important to recognize the style of the play as a play—in other words, as something that was written to be spoken aloud and not read on the page. For example, the piece is full of frequent stage directions that are written to be followed as opposed to read. The stage directions and character descriptions are, however, beautifully written. Hansberry vividly describes her image of the play through the written word alone, and it is within the written word that a style can be found.
There are a plethora of instances of figurative language throughout the play that emphasize the sound of the text, such as alliteration. Similarly, Hansberry makes choices that can be understood from the perspective of a playwright (such as limiting the setting to the Younger’s two-bedroom apartment) but also are important stylistic choices (like fixing the reader in place by limiting the setting of the story, thus emphasizing the Youngers' dream of moving out).
While the stage directions use nuanced and complex prose, the play itself is written in a colloquial and straightforward manner, with direct diction designed to reflect the reality of working-class Americans who speak with a specific dialect. In fact, when the reader is ensconced in the middle of an extended conversation, it is easy to forget that one is reading a play, which is a direct result of Hansberry's style.
Related Themes:
