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|b A close reading of A Raisin in the Sun reveals that Lorraine Hansberry has given "place" a special treatment in addition to its function in establishing the general mood and atmosphere throughout the entire play. It is of a great help to the full appreciation and proper analysis of the play. It never escapes attention. It is not static, but highly dynamic. It is always there either in the background or foreground of action. It shares in and develops with that action. It embraces and is embraced by the characters responding to, and revealing, their thoughts and feelings, internal and external conflicts, interaction with one another, and interaction with the society. Hansberry introduces and makes the audience/readers fully aware of place in all forms and sizes — concrete and abstract, symbolic and metaphoric, real and imaginative, horizontal and vertical — with the Youngers' living room situated in a central position. Weaving time with place adds a historical value to "place" making it more prominent and dynamic. Hansberry also uses place to display such vital issues as racial discrimination, pride, assimilation versus identity, generation gap, the tension between matriarchal and patriarchal authorities, heroism and love. Even the diction of the play is ample with imagery and discussions put in place terms. In short, “place” has become part and parcel of the play with all its elements.
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