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The play A Raisin in the Sun symbolizes Samuel’s life and hardships. Natasha's dad acts in two productions of A Raisin in the Sun in his lifetime, once in Jamaica and once in New York City, as the play's protagonist, Walter Lee Younger. Thematically, A Raisin in the Sun deals with many of the same things that Samuel deals with in his life: racism, dreams, hopelessness, and ultimately, the meaning of home. The play and specifically the role of Walter Lee Younger provide a window into Samuel’s mind in a way that's separate from Natasha's very biased narration. By considering Samuel in terms of this play, which represents both the highest and lowest points of Samuel's life, it's possible to read him far more sympathetically than Natasha ever allows. He, like Walter, believes his dreams are impossible, mostly because of rampant racism and a sense of homelessness.
A Raisin In the Sun Quotes in The Sun is Also a Star
The The Sun is Also a Star quotes below all refer to the symbol of A Raisin In the Sun. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 83
Quotes
Yes, she'd been frustrated with him for years, but that one moment showed us all how far apart they really were now. Even Peter, who sides with my mother in all things, flinched a little.
Still. You couldn't fault her. Not really. My father had been dreaming his life away for years. He lived in those plays instead of the real world. He still does. My mother didn't have time for dreaming anymore.
Neither do I.
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Chapter 86
Quotes
Should I tell him about my father's aborted dreams? Should I tell him that I think dreams never die even when they're dead? Should I tell him that I suspect my father lives a better life in his head?
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A Raisin In the Sun Symbol Timeline in The Sun is Also a Star
The timeline below shows where the symbol A Raisin In the Sun appears in The Sun is Also a Star. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 83
...Natasha arrived home from school to find him in the living room, reciting lines from A Raisin in the Sun . Samuel was holding the script, even though he had it memorized. He was reciting...
(full context)
...summers. Two months ago, Samuel managed to get a part in a small production of A Raisin in the Sun . When he told Patricia, she asked him flatly how much he was getting paid....
(full context)
Chapter 87
...up an envelope and asked his family to come see him as the lead in A Raisin in the Sun . He handed everyone a ticket and looked happy for the first time in a...
(full context)
Chapter 112
...people are born for greatness. He got to use his greatness twice, both times in A Raisin in the Sun : two months ago in Manhattan, and ten years ago in Montego Bay. In Jamaica,...
(full context)
Chapter 124
...knows how disappointing life can be. She tells her dad that he was amazing in A Raisin in the Sun , and it doesn't matter if he truly meant what he said—life isn't pretend.
(full context)
