A Raisin in the Sun by
Lorraine Hansberry, just as Herland
by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, portrays aspects of
feminism throughout the literature. From the moment the men arrived in Herland
sexism was present as the men were struck with shock that women could possibly
create a civilization. The men obtained this idea because of their previous
perspective on women from back home. The men believed the whole race of females
were incapable to live without men in their around to help and protect. This
idea is somewhat diminishes throughout the novel as the men begin to adapt to
the strong women, however some men cannot understand the women’s “strange” way
of life without the accompaniment of men.
A
Raisin in the Sun, although it is not as openly sexist, there are various
examples of sexism prevalent throughout the play. For reference, Ruth went to a
woman doctor and it was a disgrace, not only to her husband but also to Mama. Mama,
while living in a time where there are few women professionals, views women
doctors and women of other professions as inferior to men in their knowledge
and work. Also Ruth worked a job as taking care of other children because of
the women as maternal idea. Sexism appears in much American literature in
varied forms because of the American history of this idea and the ever present
views it forms on America and around the world.
