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Majid Amerian

Majid Amerian

Academic rank: Associate Professor
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7772-0506
Education: PhD.
ScopusId: 55802017900
Faculty: Literature and Languages
Address: Arak University
Phone:

Research

Title
A Study on Intersectionality and the Characters in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun
Type
Thesis
Keywords
Intersectionality, Psychology, Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun
Year
2023
Researchers Laila Raed Hussein Al-Khuzaie(Student)، Majid Amerian(PrimaryAdvisor)، Hamid Varmazyari(Advisor)

Abstract

Lorraine Hansberry's play, A Raisin in the Sun, delves into the concept of "intersectionality." This theatrical production portrays the experiences of African-Americans during the 1950s as they grappled with the challenges of achieving intersectionality and confronted various barriers in their pursuit of personal aspirations. Each character in Lorraine Hansberry's play, A Raisin in the Sun, possesses individual aspirations for improving their lives across diverse domains. Every individual within the narrative is faced with the arduous task of navigating the complexities of intersectionality, as they grapple with the oppressive circumstances that hinder the realization of their goals. In the theatrical production, despite encountering racial discrimination, every African-American character demonstrates a sense of personal agency and autonomy. The primary aim of this study is to examine the intersectionality of the characters portrayed in Lorraine Hansberry's play, A Raisin in the Sun. This thesis employs the concept of intersectionality to analyze the characters in the play. The author is able to discern the challenges and circumstances encountered by African-Americans in the United States as they strive to achieve intersectionality, wherein diligent efforts lead to success. This study reveals that the characters Mama, Beneatha, Ruth, and Walter each possess individual objectives in their pursuit of intersectionality through diligent effort. Mama and Ruth both possess a shared objective, namely to reside in an improved dwelling within a more favorable setting. Beneatha, on the other hand, aspires to pursue a career in medicine, while Walter harbors ambitions of establishing a liquor store as a means of addressing their financial challenges. The concept of intersectionality is exemplified through the collective pursuit of each character to improve their lives across multiple dimensions, including housing, education, employment, financial well-being, and the affirmation of their racial identity and integration into society. Due to the persistence of racial discrimination and poverty during that era, certain characters were compelled to endure unequal opportunities and the misrepresentations of their aspirations.