I think that the film (although obviously correlating with the reading) gives us as the watchers a new interpretation of the characters and certain scenes within the play. It is easy to read a novel or play and draw out the characters, connections, and interactions within our mind, although our ideas may alter after seeing the play performed. We are able to interpret different crucial values of the play “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, and the raw outline of the “American Dream” and what that looks like for this particular family within the play. The first altered feature I noticed was the setting. Personally, when I read plays, or novels, I try to paint an imagine in my head as I read, the setting within my mind while reading differed extremely from the setting within the play, I pictured the house, jobs, and living style very differently throughout reading the play, and seeing their living situation visually alters how urgent and necessary I think their move was.
Although the setting was altered for me after watching the play, there were also many crucial points within the movie that changed the traits of characters, or were illustrated differently within the reading of the play and watching it. I think that one scene that was viewed differently between reading and watching the play was when Benetha went on her tangent about how God should not deserve all the credit and Mama was shocked by what she was saying and slapped her across the face. Within the novel this scene is described as “ It’s just that I get tired of Him getting credit for all the things the human race achieves through its own stubborn effort. There simply is no blasted God– there is only man and it is he who makes miracles! (Mama absorbs this speech, studies her daughter and rises slowly and across to Benetha and slaps her powerfully across the face. After, there is only silence and the daughter drops her eyes from her mother’s face, and Mama is very tall before her) (51.) Within the play we can see how Beneatha was voicing her opinion within the walls of Mama’s house and within her words she offended Mama strongly and was punished for whom she was speaking to. Although it is described powerfully within the novel and you are moved as the reader and driven into the weakness Benetha felt, and the power/anger Mama felt about the topic of discussion, I interpreted it differently after watching it. For starters, Benetha talking about God and saying how she does not believe in his aspects, she was more trying to voice her opinion within a safe area and caught Mama at a time of high emotion due to the discussion her and Ruth were having prior about the house they currently live in and her late husband big Water. It is said within the stage directions that after Mama slaps Benetha she exits the room, although after watching the play, it is seen that Mama simply just walks away and continues with what she was doing and Benetha’s eyes filled with tears and she was the one to run off set. This made me interpret the scene differently, because when I was reading these few moments I thought that Benetha was in such a moment of anger and annoyance that she almost meant to hurt Mama with her words by reflecting off her own emotions, though, I believe that it is the other way around. I think that Mama was feeling distraught and conflicted with what to do with the money coming and there were high emotions with missing her husband. This caused Mama to act harshly as more and more began to add to her list of worries about life in general. To conclude my interpretation of this scene, I believe that with Mama not walking out of frame and leaving the discussion it showed her more powerful side, as we all know she is head of the household, but after seeing her almost carelessness from slapping Beneatha to just going back to what she was doing, shows that she knows how much power she truly holds. Her beliefs are to be respected and not altered or speaked down upon, and with Beneatha’s opinions overflowing the room Mama put her power to use and with Benetha fleeing the scene, I think it shows how off guard she was taken by the slap and how unsure she was about how to act.
There were multiple scenes that I viewed differently after watching the play as compared to reading it. I believe that audiences reading or watching the play will gather different emotions, characteristics of character, setting description, and stage direction/ emotion very differently. Although the changes may not be major while watching the play, they were harsh enough to alter my interpretation of certain aspects. Lorraine Hansberry’s writing of this play was not only powerful and moving, but also showed the inside emotion, confusion, injustice, dream(s), and underlying race issues within America at the time. There was so much room for growth and perseverance, but society as a whole held freedom back from those who did nothing but seek that freedom.
Discussion Questions:
- Which character’s traits were altered mostly for you after watching the film? Why do you think this character’s description, attitude, etc. changed after watching the film?
- Why do you believe we gather information differently when compared to reading and/or watching something?
Hi Grace, I really liked your analysis of the reading and the film. You talked about the character development of Mama and Beneatha but the character development that stood out for me was Walter. From the first scene that has mama and Walter, they’re talking about the check and how Walter wants the money for the investment. In the film you can clearly see the expression on Walters’ face. He has almost like a little boys face that really wants to try and make his mama proud. You can see the excitement he has when his eyes widen, and he talks to her in a gentle voice to try and convince her that this is a good idea. In the book they don’t illustrate how much passion he’s putting into his words. In the book it states “MAMA; I don’t aim to have to speak on that again. Walter; You ain’t looked at it and you don’t aim to have to have to speak on that again? You ain’t even looked at it and you have decided–(crumpling his papers) Well, you tell that to my boy tonight when you put him to sleep on the living room couch. . . (turning to mama and speaking directly to her) Yeah and tell it to my wife.” (pg.71) That conversation between them was a son trying to make her mother proud by doing something different with his life and wanting to do more for his family. At the end of the film when Walter invites Lindner to supposedly take the money from the organization, he then changes his mind because he knows what to do to make his mother proud of him. To acknowledge their family’s history and respect what his mother and father taught him. You can see not only in the reading from Walters words in the book but also in the film when mama stands up to Lindner saying that what her son said is final and encourages Walter for it too. Writers do ana amazing job describing the characters emotions onto the paper with imagery but watching the emotions right in front of you can give another character’s point of view on it. At the end of the film, you can see Walter and Beneatha talking about whether or not she should marry Asagai but right in front of them, looking away from them is mama. She’s shaking her head thinking “these kids never stop arguing” but she’s also smiling and the calm music also comes in to add effect to this little scene of how happy this house and their future is going to be.
Hi Grace, I loved your viewpoint on how you portrayed Bennie, and MAMA’s relationship. To answer your question “Which character’s traits were altered mostly for you after watching the film? Why do you think this character’s description, attitude, etc. changed after watching the film?” The character that altered the most for me was Walter. I say this because reading the book I didn’t think much of him, I saw him as a Misogynistic man who feels like women are a disturbance. I quote “ that is just what is wrong with the colored women in this world…Don’t understand about building their men up and making em feel like they somebody. Like they can do something”(34). This showed me just how Walter sees colored women, feeling like women should be doing more for their husband. But after watching the play and visually seeing emotion in his face even though he was still being quite disrespectful to the women in his life, I felt sorrow for Walter and I wanted him to do good in the end. Him wanting nothing but happiness for his family but him being the one to do so was sooo important to him. Another example is “ … .well, you tell that to my boy tonight when you put him to sleep on the living-room couch yeah and tell it to my wife, Mama, tomorrow when she has to go out of here to look after somebody else’s kids. And tell it to me, Mama, every time we need a new pair of curtains and I have to watch you go out and work in somebody’s kitchen.” This lets me know that Walter wants better for his family. He wants the money to open up the liquor store to make profit out of it and provide for his family so they won’t have a struggle. Walter made a huge turn around during this play especially at the end when he realized taking the easy way out wasn’t the answer.
Nice job with this comment, Jade’! Moving forward, see if you can make observations like this more specific: “But after watching the play and visually seeing emotion in his face even though he was still being quite disrespectful to the women in his life, I felt sorrow for Walter and I wanted him to do good in the end.” What emotions did he display?
Make sure also to proofread and run a spelling and grammar check to catch typos (“sooo”) and include page numbers for all of your quotes.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Hi Grace, I really liked how you started off your blog post by pointing out the fact that us readers have to remember that each story told is in different eras and standards of living. I think it’s important that you pointed out that when you wanted to grasp a feel for the setting, you noticed the time period and how since this is a text that tells a story in the 1900’s, you immediately know that the houses, language, and way of living was totally different from society is now. In addition, since we know this was based in the 1900’s, we as readers can infer that a lot white people back then were racist and uncomfortable living side by side with an African American family who when you read the text, just want to love and prosper like any normal family. To answer your first question, I believe that it has to be Walter who has changed the most from the beginning to the end of the reading. Throughout the text, you know Mama is the head of the house. Throughout the play, she is seen making the decisions whether it’s Ruth’s pregnancy or like you mentioned, making sure her kids stay faithful and loyal to God and his teachings even if it means physically hitting her child. You don’t see Walter inclined on making to many decisions and usually backs up what Mama says. However, in the end, you see Walter finally take charge and refuse Lindner’s offer to buy back the home. This was huge as this white family had been harassing Mama’s family into trying to drive them out so the neighborhood could stay pure. With Walter refusing to cave in, his family and himself can start the process of building a foundation. To answer your question, I think information is processed differently from when we see it and read it because one is visual and one is not. In the text, you can infer Mama is angry at Benetha by the adjectives used. For example, the text used the word “slapped” and “powerfully” to show anger and distaste. In a film setting, you can see with your own two eyes the tenseness of the situation, you can feel the silence, and you can see the slap.
Hi Grace, I really enjoyed reading your post about Mama’s character interpretation when reading compared to when watching the play be performed. I wanted to answer your first question on what character traits were altered when watching the play. I really noticed a difference in Walter in the beginning scenes when watching the play compared to when I was reading it. Hansberry writes “Ruth: … What kind of eggs you want? Walter: Not scrambled. (Ruth starts to scramble eggs) Paper come?” (26). Here we obviously see Ruth not taking Walter’s opinion into account even when she asked for it, but we don’t get the same reaction from Walter. In the book he doesn’t notice or say anything about it. But in the film, he mocks Ruth by scrambling fake eggs after she ignores his request. I think that the addition of seeing Walter’s frantic use of his hands add to his character. While watching the film, he kind of came across as a crazy man who was spitting nonsense. I think when just reading, we don’t get the full effect of how emotional Walter is about everything. We see his emotion in the film through the use of his hands and his tone and speed of voice.
Excellent job with this comment, Ava! The close reading and your analysis of that scene in the play as compared to the film are especially strong.
Score: 5 out of 5
Hi Grace!
I really enjoyed reading your post and I found that your reflection on Mama’s character was very well founded and thought out. I would like to try to answer one of the questions you asked which is the following : Which character’s traits were altered mostly for you after watching the film? Why do you think this character’s description, attitude, etc. changed after watching the film?
In A Raisin in the Sun, one character whose portrayal may have been altered for me after watching the film adaptation is probably Beneatha. Indeed, in the play, Beneatha is depicted as an intelligent, idealistic young woman who is exploring her identity and aspirations amidst the challenges faced by her family. One scene that showcases Beneatha’s character development in both the book and the film is her conversation with Asagai, where she discusses her disillusionment with her African heritage and her struggle to find her place in the world. In the book, Beneatha expresses her frustration with her brother Walter’s materialistic aspirations in act I, scene 2, saying : « Sometimes you just got to know when to give up some things…and hold on to what you got. » (66). However, in the film adaptation, this conversation is depicted with added emotional depth and intensity. Asagai’s words seem to resonate more profoundly with Beneatha, and her internal conflict is palpable as she grapples with her identity and her dreams. This scene highlights Beneatha’s internal struggle and her journey towards self-discovery.
The change in Beneatha’s portrayal in the film adaptation could be attributed to several factors. Firstly, I think that the visual medium of film allows for a more intimate portrayal of characters, enabling viewers to connect with them on a deeper level. Additionally, the director’s interpretation and the actor’s performance can bring out nuances in the character that may not have been as evident in the text alone. Overall, the film adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun likely provided viewers with a more vivid and emotionally resonant depiction of Beneatha’s character, allowing them to empathize with her journey of self-discovery and growth in a more profound way.
Hi, Grace I really liked your point of view between the the film and novel. Showing the how the the novel paints a picture in our minds and how it is portarde in the film. After watching the film adaptation of “A Raisin in the Sun,” viewers might see Walter Lee Younger differently. This could be because the actor’s performance, facial expressions, and body language make his character more relatable and understandable. The film might also give more details about Walter’s background and thoughts, helping viewers connect with him better. Additionally, music, camera work, and editing in the film could make key moments in Walter’s story more impactful, making viewers sympathize with him more. Overall, the movie version of the story might make Walter seem more real and relatable, changing how viewers see him compared to just reading the play. We gather information differently when we read compared to when we watch something because our brains process written words and visual images in unique ways. When we watch something, we use our eyes and ears to take in what’s happening, which can be more exciting and easier to understand. When we read, we have to use our imagination to picture what’s described in the text, which takes more effort. Watching something usually goes faster than reading because scenes change quickly, while reading allows us to go at our own pace. Sometimes we remember things better when we read them because we have to think more about what we’re reading. But watching can also stick in our minds because we see and hear what’s happening. whether we read or watch something, our brains work a bit differently to understand and remember the information.
Hi Grace! I really liked your interpretation of Mama’s character when comparing the movie versus the novel. I’m going to answer your second discussion question, Why do you believe we gather information differently when compared to reading and/or watching something? When reading a novel, you can leave it up to your own imagination to create these characters and their appearances. It’s an aspect of the experience of the reader that a movie takes away. You can see the storylines play out before your eyes in a movie. There is less to be left for your imagination and creativity.
Also, there seems to be a loss of passion but we gain the experience of seeing the expression of emotion in a more clear setting while watching a movie. An example in the novel would be, “MAMA; I don’t aim to have to speak on that again. Walter; You ain’t looked at it and you don’t aim to have to have to speak on that again? You ain’t even looked at it and you have decided–(crumpling his papers) Well, you tell that to my boy tonight when you put him to sleep on the living room couch. . . (turning to mama and speaking directly to her) Yeah and tell it to my wife.” (71). While you can read the dramatics and get an image in your head of how this interaction went, the movie gave a clear picture and allowed us to truly take in the moment and it showed the viewer Mama and Walter’s relationship dynamic. Personally, I do prefer reading the information first to gain my own perspective and interpretation of it as I feel that I can retain more this way.
Hi Grace,
I agree in the play A Rasin in the Sun I noticed the difference in the way the situation played out between Mama and Benetha. After Benetha said she didn’t believe in god I imagined that scene more intense and passionate from Benetha. Instead, she was very calm and more expressive of her feelings while she was doing her hair and getting ready. I also noticed in another scene that behind closed doors Ruth wanted to be supportive of Walter but felt she wasn’t capable of providing what he needed “Mama Walter he needs something you know? Something that I can’t give him… he needs his chance, Lena” this was in the first scene in the play and I noticed that that part was not in the book at all just before Ruth passes out and the curtain closes, she says that to Mama. I think she was trying a very light approach to see what Mama would say and her intuition was right mama completely denied the idea. Ruth did not even have to directly mention the money.
HI Grace! I really enjoyed your blog post and it really got me thinking about how interpretations can vary so vastly across so many different minds. To answer your second discussion question, I believe we gather information differently when reading or watching something because it is being delivered to us in two different ways. When you read, you are reading words off of a page, which leaves the reader with so much imagination to play with emotions and how it plays out in your head. When watching a film, it is given to you one way (most of the time depending on the film), and that is the way you interpret it because that is the way it is being conveyed to you. I think that is why reading is such a beautiful thing. When watching A Raisin in the Sun, I found myself re-evaluating scenes in the book, most especially like you said, the scene about Mama and Beneatha having a discussion about God when she slaps her across the face. Beneatha says, “I see. I also see that everybody thinks its all right for Mama to be a tyrant. But all the tyranny in the world will never put a God in the Heavens! (She picks up her books and goes out. Pause.)” (52). This quote I think further adds to both your interpretation as well as my interpretation that Beneatha held her head high in annoyance and frustration when reading the book; whereas in the screen adaptation, we see her more sad and weepy that her mother isn’t understanding or trying to listen to her point of view.