Prometheus Returns Again: Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun

Abstract

Lorraine Hansberry’s first play A Raisin in the Sun tells the story of an African American family amidst a racist white-dominant society. It presents decisive affairs that confront black-skinned Americans. The story exhibits the problems of racism, family crash, and black men search for positions within the racist community. Walter Lee Younger is a central character in the drama. His mother is Lena “Mama”. His dream is to have good business represented in a liquor store. He believes this business would achieve and solve his economic conditions. In addition, Walter considers the liquor store a way to help the family to get a better life. It is his ultimate goal to obtain the family's financial statehood. This paper shows his dream to be independent with his family. It explores why Walter has described as Prometheus the mythological figure in Greek legendary history as well as Walter’s kinship to Prometheus. The study will explore the character of Prometheus and his position in Greek history. The paper examines whether it is right to call Walter Prometheus or not. Finally, the discussion is a trial to discover similarities between Walter and Prometheus