Symbolism in A Raisin in the Sun, The House on Mango Street, and The Pearl Essay Example

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, and The Pearl by John Steinbeck were written during different eras by authors from different backgrounds, yet they share certain thematic elements. Although there are multiple messages conveyed through symbolism in the three texts, the common theme that perseverance can dictate more than oppression is highlighted through the symbolism of Mama’s plant in A Raisin in the Sun, trees in The House on Mango Street and the pearl in The Pearl.

Firstly, in A Raisin in the Sun, Mama’s plant gets used as a symbol because they represents the tenacity of the Younger family. In a scene where Mama questions when her children started to change so severely she notes, “ They spirited all right, my children. Got to admit they got spirit—Bennie and Walter. Like this little old plant that ain’t never had enough sunshine or nothing—and look at it …” (Hansberry 55). Comparably to the plant, the Younger family breaks expectations by maintaining spirit through unfavorable circumstances, such as racial prejudice. This connection emphasizes the idea that determination can be enough to break out of an expectation set by oppression. 

Similarly, in The House on Mango Street, trees get used as symbols because they portray Esperanza’s perseverance despite changing conditions. This comparison is exemplified in the chapter Four Skinny Trees, in which Esperanza notes, “Four who grew despite concrete. Four who reach and do not forget to reach. Four whose only reason is to be and be.” (Cisneros 75). The concrete represents the oppression that Esperanza faces, specifically through her living on Mango Street, an impoverished neighborhood. In her relating herself to the four skinny trees, it becomes clear that she plans to overcome these obstacles that come with racial and gender bias to live a better life. Esperanza’s persistence against the expectation of poverty motivates her to face and overcome her challenges. 

Finally, the pearl is used as a symbol in The Pearl because it is representative of Kino’s hope for a better life through material wealth. This shows through Kino’s material value of the item. When the pearl buyers in his town refused to offer a substantial amount of money for his pearl, Kino notes, “I am cheated,’...‘My pearl is not for sale here. I will go, perhaps even to the capital.” (Steinbeck 52). While Kino’s journey out of oppression does not lead to a favorable outcome, it should be noted that his attempted escape from poverty was forged through his perseverance for more wealth. He is aware of the fact that his pearl is worth more than the pearl buyers are offering, and this hope acts as an incentive for Kino to continue hunting for money. Ultimately, he remains impoverished, though the moments in which he held onto his wealth occur due to his determination to supply for his family a better life not made possible through his poor wages. This instance further highlights how the intent towards one's goal is often more prevalent than the oppression preventing it.