Two symbols that are very important in the play A Raisin in the Sun are Mama's plant and Beneatha's hair. In the case of Mama's plant, the symbolism lies in the fact that the plant represents the family. Mama is devoted to caring for the plant in the same way in which she cares for the family. She wants the plant to flourish, and it does, despite the poor environment it is in. This is similar to the development of the family, which also flourishes despite their difficult circumstances.
In the case of Beneatha's hair, we can see that it stands for the changes that she undergoes in terms of her identity and self-development. Although her hair is initially straightened, she becomes more comfortable with her natural hair as she also becomes prouder of her heritage, and more confident in her identity.
