Symbolism, "an object or act that represents something other than the literal meaning" ("Symbolism"). Lorraine Hansberry used symbolism in her drama "A Raisin in the Sun." In the drama, Mama has a small plant that she keeps in the window. It does not get much sunshine because it is in the small, dark apartment. Mama is excited at the thought of moving to the new house where there is a yard and plenty of room for her plant to grow and thrive. This plant is a symbol for how Mama feels about her family. She knows that her family cannot grow and thrive or be happy in the small, dark apartment. Much like the flower the family needs room to grow and Mama knows by moving into the new house this will make that possible (Hansberry). The author used the symbolism of the plant to help the reader understand how important Mama's dream of moving into the new house is.

Imagery is "visually descriptive or figurative language" ("Imagery"). In the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes we see a lot of imagery. We can use almost all our senses while reading the poem. The words the author uses are not literal, but we can visualize them in our minds as we read. When he says, "like a syrupy sweet," we can feel the stickiness. Or, when he says, "stink like rotten meat," we can imagine the smell in our minds of stink that would be caused by rotting meat (Hughes). The words that Hughes uses in the poem have somewhat of a dark side. They are not violent in any way but, the reader is able to understand his feelings and what he means by using their senses to comprehend his point. He uses imagery to help the reader understand his feelings of what happens to dreams that are deferred.

Although each thing we read was written by different authors they all used literary elements to help the readers understand and to get their points across. The authors of these works used the literary elements of characterization, symbolism, and imagery. They all helped us to understand how the African American race was treated in the times these works were written.

The African American race was not treated equally or fair. Some of the characters felt as if their heritage was a burden and that their dreams were not important. The writers have made it possible for the readers to understand how they felt during this time by using the literary elements.

Works Cited

• "Characterization." Websters Dictionary, Websters.com, 2018, www.merriarn-webster.com/dictionary/characterization.
• Hansberry, Lorraine. "A Raisin in the Sun." Lessonpaths, lessonpaths.com, 2018. CCCUA Blackboard, CCCUA, 2018, www.lessonpaths.com/learn/i/raisin-in-the-sun-2/a-raisin-in-the-sun-script.
• Hughes, Langston. "Harlem." Poem Hunter, Poemhunter.corn, 2018. CCCUA Blackboard, CCCUA, 2018, www.poernhunter.com/poem/dream-deferred/. "Imagery." Websters Dictionary, Websters.corn, 2018, www.merriarn-webster.com/dictionary/imagery.
• "Symbolism." Websters Dictionary, Websters.com, 2018, www.merriarn-webster.com/dictionary.symbolism.
• Walker, Alice. "Everyday Use." Weebly, Weebly.corn, 2018. CCCUA Blackboard, CCCUA, 2018, Intensiveenglishl.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/0/4/13041485/everyday_use_full_tet.pdf.