There are similarities and differences between all people, but it is the differences that make every individual unique. However, people can be more similar than different which is the case between the characters Sonny from "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin and Beneatha from A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. These characters, despite their differences, have many things in common. Sonny and Beneatha are both chasing dreams that their older brothers do not understand, and are both African Americans growing up around the 1950s. The main difference is that Beneatha receives family support while Sonny is left on his own. They each lead a very similar lifestyle but have very different support systems. These characters have brothers who…show more content… Beneatha receives family support involving her education while Sonny is all on his own. Beneatha's family made many sacrifices for her education, her brother says " it ain't nobody expects you to get on your knees and say thank you, brother; thank you, Ruth; thank you, Mama – and thank you, Travis, for wearing the same pair of shoes for two semesters" (Hansberry 497). They have all made sacrifices, for they are very poor, with paying for Beneatha's education. She often seems ungrateful but they support her non the less. Sonny, on the other hand, has no support throughout most of his life. His only family being his brother, who does not understand his dream nor help him through his drug addiction, Sonny must face life by himself. Beneatha can express herself to her family because they are there for her. Compared to Sonny who has a hard time communicating with his brother, because they spend much time apart, has to keep everything bottled inside. Sonny has to tackle everything on his own with no family support which is where he and Beneatha differ the most.
Overall, the characters Sonny from "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin and Beneatha from A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, both have many things in common regarding their dreams and how they grow up. They differ in the area of family support. People are often more similar then they appear to be, just like Sonny and Beneatha who have similar lifestyles but have very different families and their support. These characters, despite their many similarities, have one major difference and that’s all it takes to make them who they
