Surroundings - Drama Blog 2 (A Raisin in the Sun)

"MAMA: What is it you want to express?
BENEATHA: Me! Don't worry - I don't expect you to understand."

~A Raisin in the Sun, page 48

Our environment is what shapes and defines our personalities not only when we are younger and developing, but also when we are older. Setting can effect people so much, even to the point that is changes their dispositions. In Raisin in the Sun, the setting particularly affects both Mama and Beneatha.

Mama is affected by the setting because she feels trapped. The apartment she lives in must be shared with many of her extended family members - her grandson Travis even sleeps on the couch every night. The tiny apartment just isn't enough room for her, which is why she puts the down payment on the house. She also probably feels trapped in a stereotype. Throughout the play, the family members (aside from Beneatha) are trying to assimilate into the middle-class American culture. The apartment is a symbol of not being able to escape the "black" ways of life, when all Mama wants is to have a good, rich life for her family. (I'm not saying they are oppressed in the apartment... but they are oppressed in the apartment.)

Beneatha is different from all the other family members. She is the most educated and has the most experience with travel. Beneatha considers moving all the way to Africa during the play. This already shows a contrast in her and her family - while her family is trying to integrate into "white society," Beneatha is completely embracing her culture. Beneatha, like Mama, feels trapped in her setting; however, she feels trapped in an environment full of ignorance and desire to assume a false, "better" identity.

Workin' for the Man Every Night and Day - Poetry Blog 5. (London)

Finally, I shall analyze the poem London by William Blake. This was probably the one I found most difficult. 

For the most part, I understand the general meaning. "I wander through each chartered street... the mind-forged manacles I hear." He's talking about how oppressive the British government is to the people. It makes sense - at that time, Great Britain was a large, dominant country. Crying is also a big part of this poem - it's used three times ("In every cry of every man, in every Infant's cry of fear... Blasts the new-born Infant's tear"), but I'm not sure what the significance is. Anyway, the poem uses oppression in a couple of different ways, like their jobs and marriage. Maybe it's saying that not only were the people enslaved by their government, but by all aspects of their lives. The tone matches the theme - it's dark and lacks hope. Overall, this poem brings about many questions, but is centered around oppression.