Why is travis important in a raisin in the sun

The style of A Raisin in the Sun is direct and colloquial. Lorraine Hansberry wrote the play as a realist drama, meaning that she attempted to capture the everyday reality of her subjects, a working-class Black family living in South Side, Chicago, sometime in the late s or s. The Sun symbolizes the supreme cosmic power — the life-force that enables all things to thrive and grow. In some cultures, the Sun is the Universal Father. Correspondingly, the Moon symbolizes death, birth and resurrection….

The son of Walter Lee and Ruth, Travis is the youngest member of the family. Travis is a good-natured and persistent young boy who, for the most part, obeys his parents and grandmother. The rest of the family thinks it wis very funny, making reference to Mama wearing it to pick cotton, but Travis is absolutely serious with his gift.

Travis asks Ruth for fifty cents because his teacher told all students to bring the money to school. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Essay What is the main message of a raisin in the sun? Ben Davis April 30, What is the main message of a raisin in the sun?

What is a good thesis statement for a raisin in the sun? Why was a raisin in the sun important? What is the conclusion of a raisin in the sun? Who died in a raisin in the sun? For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. By far the youngest member of his family stage directions describe him as ten or eleven years old , Travis represents the future of the Younger family.

Hansberry drops some not-too-subtle symbolism on us when we hear that one of Travis's favorite pastimes is playing with rats.

This symbolism definitely doesn't slip by Lena and Ruth. It kind of sucks when your "future" is hanging out with vermin. Mama and Ruth understand that if they stay living in their crappy apartment, Travis is destined to always settle for less than he deserves. Symbolically, the Younger family will never escape the slums.

Travis plays a symbolic role again in the last scene of the play. When Walter, Travis's father, is planning to take the money from Mr. As the sixth generation of the family in America, Travis' existence is a testament to the hard work and struggles of his ancestors [ 33 ]. The Younger family's life is considered underprivileged in comparison to middle class white families.

However, a brief consideration of the fights for freedom that brought them to a point where they can marry, rent an apartment, and live a self-sufficient life reveals the blessings of their current life. Regardless, the family continues to want more not only for themselves but also for future generations; namely, Travis. He has a lot of other peoples' hopes and dreams riding on his shoulders.

In many ways, Travis is the family's investment. His future represents the possibility of ending the burdens of frustration that have accumulated over the generations [ 34 ].

Each family member seeks to nurture and care for Travis in hopes that he will have a better life filled with hope and possibilities. Since he is still young, his dream is made up of other peoples' thoughts and visions for him.