Similarities Between A Raisin in the Sun and Death of A Salesman

Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman are plays with various similarities, including their underlying plots and the social issues being addressed. The first similarity between the two plays is the issue of the American capitalist society and how families and individuals constantly suffer to meet their needs in the American economy. In A Raisin in the Sun, the Youngers receive $10,000, and each member has their own ideas of how they should spend the money; Mama wants to purchase a house in the suburbs, Walter wants to start a liquor business, and Beneatha wants to use it for medical school (Hansberry, 1984). Similarly, Willy Loman’s family also struggles financially, such that he is constantly daydreaming about a better future or missed opportunities where he would have been richer than he was (Miller, 1949).

Another similarity between the two plays is the focus on insurance and insurance settlements. In A Raisin in the Sun, the Youngers were to receive a $10,000 life insurance check because of the death of Mr. Younger, which subsequently becomes the center of focus for the family and how the money would change their lives completely (Hansberry, 1984). Similarly, in Death of A Salesman, Willy Loman fantasizes about how his son would be well-off and more successful than him if he were to have life insurance money of $20,000 (Miller, 1949). In Loman’s case, he decides to stage an automobile accident that will kill him and give his son and wife the life insurance money to help set them up for life. In both cases, the insurance money seems like the light at the end of the tunnel for both families who have been struggling for several years but now have the opportunity to change their lives by either starting businesses, buying a house, attending medical school, or using the money to improve Ben’s career and lifestyle.

References

Hansberry, L. (1984). A Raisin in the Sun. Concord Theatricals.

Miller, A. (1949). Death of a Salesman. 1949.