Discuss the plant symbolism in A Raisin in the Sun. What are some specific examples.

Mama Younger compares her life to the straggly plant. The
plant is alive but it has faced extremely difficult growing conditions. It has trouble
finding sunlight. It has weathered the storms and is hanging on, but its growth has been
hindered by the rough conditions of trying to survive in the small
apartment.

Mama Younger can be compared to the plant. She
too has weathered the storm. She has trouble growing in the harsh conditions she has
lived through. Trying to find the light of day has been a challenge. Mama Younger has
lived a hard life. She lives in the crowded apartment. She struggles to make a living.
She watches her son as his dream falls apart. She is worried about his negative attitude
on life. Her heart breaks right along with her son's heart as his dream falls
apart.

Mama Younger watches her grandson fall asleep on the
sofa every night because there is not a room in the apartment for him. Mama Younger has
endured the storm as Ruth and Walter grow apart. She worries about her children. She
dreams right along with her children. She hopes that the insurance money will alleviate
some of the financial burdens she endures. She desires to send her daughter to college
to be a doctor.

All that Mama Younger can do is exist. She,
like the straggly plant, barely hangs on in life. Like the plant, there is no depth for
her roots. She lives a shallow existence. Mama worries that her children are becoming
bitter by the harsh existence they live. She worries about their character that is being
affected because of the bitter circumstances they face in life:

At this
point, she recognizes that her family's enemy has been transferred from their culture to
their own hearts. Mama is clearly the source of the family's strength as well as its
soul.

Like the straggly
plant, Mama Younger will survive. She is the backbone of the family. She holds the
family together. She will make it. She will see brighter days. She will grow and bloom
in a better neighborhood. The plant and Mama are survivors. They endure harsh conditions
and continue to grow. When Mama Younger moves into the new neighborhood, she can spread
her roots and grow. Like the straggly plant, Mama will have a new life in the new
neighborhood.