Sorry, but what are some examples of these themes from A Raisin In The Sun. I tried to do some and don't know if they are right. I was also ask to find out what the rhetorical device for the examples of each theme represents. So please help me.

Question

1. Values, ideals, and morals, are worth fighting over. For this one, I was thinking when Walter invites Lindner back with the intentions of accepting the money Lindner had offered earlier to keep the Younger family from moving in to the neighborhood where they bought the house. After being challenged by the family, Walter ultimately decides to honor his mother's point of view and turns Mr. Lindner out once again.

Putting the pride and love of the family first, despite the financial straits and disappointments he has faced, Walter is finally standing on values and fighting to achieve some honor.

This example could be an example of ethos.

2. The value of dreams can be both a positive and negative influence. I don't know but maybe:
Beneatha wants to become a doctor using her father's insurance money but when Walter loses it, she becomes angry. When Asagai, questions her and asks her whether her not she earn the money and that how dreams can only be achieved through the death of a man. This could be an example of logos. Or when Walter is determine to own a liquor business without ever thinking of the consequences and tries persuading everybody to support him and give him the money . This could represent pathos.

3. The importance of family is strong enough to overcome the temptation to give up dreams.
I don't know an example or rhetoric device.

4. Both men and women can wield power- political, economic, social, and psychological. Well mama being the oldest is the head of the house and kind of controls what goes on in the house. When she gives him, she makes him the head of the house. Or when Beneatha says that George doesn't understand why she's going to be a doctor, but she is determine to becomes a doctor. And when Walter tells Beneatha to just become a nurse. That represents stereotype.

5. It is important for both men and women to play supportive roles in the family structure. Ruth plays the role of the mother waking up early everyday to feed Walter and Travis and doing chores. Walter plays the role of the father giving money to his son and giving him advice sort of. I don't know what rhetoric device this represents.

Please help me. I need to find quotes and rhetoric devices. Are any of these even close to being correct? Do the examples match up with the themes?

Answer 1

I think you're on the right track, mostly. On $4, I think the very fact that Mama and Walter Lee are contending with each other over the money is a contest over who has the power, influence, etc. Both have a claim to it. On #3, I'll have to re-read the play and get back to you. I promise I will in a little while.

Answer 2

I found it! When Walter Lee tells what he did for three days when he didn't go to work, Mama has a speech in which she says, "There ain't nothing as precious to me...There ain't nothing worth holding onto--money, dreams, nothing else--if it means--if it means it's going to destroy my boy. (She puts her papers in front of him..."

Answer 3

It's less directly stated, but Mama also clearly implies that family is more important than money when she defends Walter Lee to Beneatha after he loses the money. It's that beautiful, moving speech: "Have you cried for that boy today..." You already cited that as an example of "realism," but it applies here, too. Walter's dream has come to nothing, but Mama defends him.

Answer 4

Rhetorical devises? In the scene where Mama gives Walter the money, the device is "destroy." For the others, I'd have to look up each speech or set of speeches, but you've already done that. :)

Answer 5

When you actually write your answers to turn in, I think you should quote the lines as I did above, and identify the words that constitute a literary device. For example, "destroy" is a bit of hyperbole, but makes Mama's point clearly.

I hope all this helps.