An Eco-feminist Reading Of A Raisin In The Sun

Lorraine Hansberry is the first female black playwright in America who has successfully put the play about the hard life of the blacks on the stage of Broadway Theater. Undoubtedly, it is A Raisin in the Sun that has earned her an unintended place in American drama history. A Raisin in the Sun is fascinating. Hansberry gives a vivid description of the real ordinary life of American blacks in upsetting environment, the fantasy of the American dream, ecological deterioration and other social issues through the ups and downs of the story of an African American family in South Chicago. Since the opening ceremony, it has caused numerable Americans’ sympathy. Though half a century has passed, it is still favored by many readers and play lovers. Besides, the study of Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun has never stopped. These not only reveal the infinite aesthetic value of the play, but also demonstrate its realistic significance in different times.Previous studies and discussions of the play are mainly based on feminist theory, focusing on the exploration and interpretation of the characters, which helps much for further exploration of the play as well as its humane inspiration to contemporaries. However, the question is that there has not appeared any study that connects the oppression of women with ecological deterioration. Eco-feminism solves the problem by taking the play as a whole. Eco-feminism claims that the well-being of each element is inextricably bound to the well-being of the rest in the same ecosystem, and the plays will be no exception. In brief, Eco-feminism integrates feminism with environmental ethics. It points out that there are connections between the domination of women and the domination of nature. Therefore, the ultimate liberation of women is inseparable from the liberation of nature. After a thorough critique of the traditional Western culture which advocates culture and reason, and demeans nature and sense, Eco-feminists make it clear that patriarchal institutions glorifying man’s privilege are the root of the double domination of women and nature. This thesis attempts to explore the playwright’s eco-feminist awareness in the play from the perspective of Eco-feminism by examining the connections between humans and nature, and between men and women.This thesis consists of three parts:introduction, body and conclusion. The part of introduction gives a brief introduction to Lorraine Hansberry and her works, literature review and the significance of the study.The body of this thesis is composed of four chapters. Chapter One gives a brief introduction to the theoretical foundation of the thesis, Eco-feminism. Eco-feminism evolves from feminism and environmental ethics. It claims that there are connections between the domination of women and the domination of nature. Chapter Two examines the connections between nature and black women in the play. Nature and natural things play a significant role in the spiritual life of black women in the United States. Chapter Three mainly focuses on the real voice of American black women. Breaking the passive stereotypes, the three female characters in A Raisin in the Sun give their own new interpretations of the traditional role of mother, wife, and daughter. Chapter Four probes into the possible orientations for women and nature’s liberation in the play. Sisterhood stimulates woman’s development; the construction of a harmonious community and breaking isolation help to eliminate racial discrimination; returning to nature makes people pay more attention to their spiritual life rather than material life, and also helps to realize the dream of poetic dwelling in nature.From the perspective of Eco-feminism, this thesis explores Lorraine Hansberry’s female consciousness and environmental awareness, and makes a conclusion that the construction of a harmonious society where men and women, human beings and nature live together is necessary and practicable. This exploration will have immense significance to the sound development of today’s society.