Comparing and Contrasting a Raisin in the Sun and Oedipus Rex - Book Report/Review Example

Running head: Analytical Essay Comparing Analytical Essay Comparing and Contrasting A Raisin in the Sun and Oedipus Rex In APA Format School Abstract This paper aims to point out the differences and similarities between A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. While Oedipus Rex was spun in a world of gods and goddesses and heroes and heroines, A Raisin in the Sun was set amidst the true state of living in this world. But both of these stories revolve on the unfortunate events encountered by the characters involved and how they handle it. Analytical Essay Comparing and Contrasting A Raisin in the Sun and Oedipus Rex Similarities of A Raisin in the Sun and Oedipus Rex A Raisin in the Sun and Oedipus Rex are both tragic stories. The former's tragedy comes in the form of racial discrimination experienced by the African-American family not to mention the poverty that the Younger's family have to endure. The future for them looks a lot better upon the arrival of the $10,000.00 insurance check from Walter Lee Younger, Sr. Unfortunately Walter Young lost the remaining money when he invested it to his "good-for-nothing loud-mouth" friend, Willy Harris, as his wife would like to call him. A series of misfortune has also befallen to Oedipus in Oedipus Rex. In the beginning, Oedipus as an infant was pinned in the ankle, thereby acquiring the name (which means "swollen foot") and left to die in the mountains to prevent the Oracle from happening wherein it is told that he will kill his father and marry his own mother. But as luck would have it the order was not carried out instead he was adopted by the King of Corinth, Polybus which he thought was really his natural father. Upon learning the oracle he exiled himself to avoid the prophecy from happening which lead to another disaster, on his way to Thebes, he met his father and slaughtered him to death after which he married his widowed mother. After many years, when they uncovered the truth, Jocasta, Oedipus' mother and wife killed herself and Oedipus blinded himself and was exiled from Thebes. Some of them also share the same moral fibers, like for instance Lena Younger's (A Raisin in the Sun) pride will not allow his son Walter Lee Younger to accept Mr. Linder's offer to pay them more than their down payment if they won't push through with their plans to live in a white neighbourhood in Clybourne Park. She says to Walter, "Son-I cane from five generations of people who was slaves and sharecroppers-but ain't nobody in my family never let nobody pay 'em no money that was a way of telling us we wasn't fit to walk the earth." On the other hand, Oedipus' pride would not stop him from ending his investigation even if it will greatly affect him in the end. Standing by what is rightful is the way that he does thing which lead to a disastrous ending for his life. Love for the family. The characters exhibited these qualities in the story. When Oedipus heard the prophecy that he was to kill his father and marry his mother, he fled the kingdom leaving everything he had behind. This is a sign that he loves his family to the extent that he would give up what he already have just to ensure that no harm would come to them. This was a great sacrifice on his part taking into consideration that since birth he had enjoyed all the comforts of life. He never had second thoughts when he left Corinth. On the other hand, Walter Younger wanted a better life for his family. His desire for progress was very strong, he wants to put his son to college, provide his family with a nice home and even dreams of buying his wife pearls to wear. All he ever wanted was a better life style for his family. Lena Younger also inhibited this attribute when she gave up the remaining money for his son, Walter. She said, "There ain't nothing worth holding on to, money dreams nothing else-if-it means it's going to destroy my boy..." Differences of A Raisin in the Sun and Oedipus Rex Contrary to Oedipus' royal status, the Younger's poverty was evident in their one-bedroom apartment. while the former lived in a palace surrounded with slaves ready with his every beck and call. Oedipus lived in luxury while the Younger's family have to share their bathroom with another family. Where the Younger's are impoverished, Oedipus was raised to princely honours. Whilst Walter Younger was vying for an opportunity to act as the head of the family, Oedipus was raised to rule a kingdom. Oedipus has a power over other people's lives. He reigns over everything that hails in his land. Walter Younger's responsibility was only his family. His problems involved only his family, how to provide for them and how to make life a little better for his son. In contrast, Oedipus' problems are more substantial in nature. His people's problem was also his. When famine strikes it was his responsibility to resolve it. He doesn't only have to make things easy for his family but also for his subjects. He is to constantly show that he has everything under control for the people to have confidence in him. He is always in command and whatever he says, goes. In Oedipus, everything was left to destiny. Everything happens according to the will of the gods and goddesses. There was no way of eluding the prophecies. Conversely, A Raisin in the Sun is a fine example that anything will happen and could happen in this world. George Murchison, Beneatha's boyfriend comes from a wealthy black family. Back to a time when Afros were treated slaves, A Raisin in the Sun has illustrated that an African-American can progress up the social ladder into a higher class. One of the things that differ between Oedipus and Walter Younger is that Walter is a lazy person, he dreams big for his family but he never really does anything to make it happen. All he wants is to invest in a liquor store thinking that it would automatically give him a very nice return in his investment. He just wants to sit and wait for whatever income that will come from the business. All that matters to him is money but he wants to acquire it in an easy manner. In the end he got swindled by his so-called "friend". Walter doesn't even have a single clue on how to run his business. Oedipus was the exact opposite; he works hard to be able to rule his kingdom rightly. Oedipus is not afraid of poverty and money is not of great importance to him. This was shown when he left Corinth to avoid the prophecy from happening. He was also very strong not only physically but also mentally. He has defeated the Sphinx when he answered the riddle that no man has ever answered in Thebes. He has shown that his intellect is far beyond from those of Walter Younger where Goerge Murchison calls him Prometheus giving emphasis on Walter's ignorance of Greek mythology. Oedipus and Walter are poles apart when talking about integrity. When a man told Oedipus that he is a changeling and Polybus denied it, he sought the oracle for the truth and there he learned what was to become of him. It goes to show that Oedipus doesn't readily believed on what was said to him, he always seeks the truth before taking any action. It was innate on his part to always investigate in pursuit of true facts. Although it's a positive trait it has also become his waterloo. It was a curse meant to destroy him in the end. His uprightness killed his mother who is also his wife and shattered his family. Walter was less of a man than Oedipus is. His honour was questionable and it was illustrated in a number of situations in A Raisin in the Sun. First is when he learned that his wife is pregnant and is contemplating abortion, he didn't reprimand Ruth or much less say anything about it which made Lena angry for she is a true believer of God. Walter's decision making was always swayed by their financial standing. It was understandable but then putting an end to an innocent's life is just unforgiveable. Second, Travis, Walter's son asked for some money and he gave all the money he has just to show that they are not financially strained. It was a wrong act of charity since Travis; young as he is should not be spared of their true status. He should know the real score so that later in life he will work hard to circumvent the same dire situation, adding to the fact that the money is much needed for their survival. Lastly, when an offer came from Mr. Lindner to pay them off so that they would continue in their plans of living in a white neighbourhood, Walter was almost swayed in giving into Mr. Lindner's request. It goes to show that Walter has no dignity and that he can be bought for a certain amount of money. A Raisin in the Sun has taught us to never lose hope and never lose our values. Lena Younger has kept her faith in God even though she is destitute. Her moral integrity did not quiver. They have been discriminated and she fought it. She didn't give up. We must not forget that we can improve our situation if we choose to and if we work for it. Nothing is easy in this life. We reap what we sow. Oedipus is a story of fate, a fortuitous event beyond the control of human action. No matter how much Oedipus and his parents avoided the prediction from becoming real, for some reason beyond explanation it still happened. Life can sometimes be, very ironic; you end up being in a situation that you were trying to avoid. Oedipus has everything any man could wish for yet there is nothing he could. A Raisin in the Sun and Oedipus are generally not the same, while the former tells us that there is hope, that there is something we can do to have a better life, to build better dreams; the latter tells us that we are driven by our fate. No amount of hard work, strength or money could transform it. Hamilton, E. (1999).Mythology:Oedipus.New York:Warner Books. Peabody, J.P. Oedipus. Available from http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnline/12768 Shandly, S.A. A Raisin in the Sun [Book Review].Associated Content. Available from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/818127/a_raisin_in_the_sun_book_review.html Read More