Ah Sah Guy

I really enjoyed Hansberry's Asagai character in Raisin in the Sun. He was confident in his beliefs and eager for life. He represents the black man with the audacity to hope for a better future for humanity.

"And I even will have moments when I wonder if the quiet was not better than

all that death and hatred. But I will look about my village at the

illiteracy and disease and ignorance and I will not wonder long.

And perhaps . . . perhaps I will be a great man ... I mean perhaps

I will hold on to the substance of truth and find my way

always with the right course . . . and perhaps for it I will be butchered 

in my bed some night by the servants of empire . . ." (Hansberry 135)

Asagai, like Alaiyo, is one for whom food is not enough. He is optimistic about the end at the light of the tunnel and is selfless in his acknowledgment of his place in history. If it was to increase the freedoms of his people, he will be prepared to sacrifice himself for the people, even if it were to seem in vain. If it were not the white men who slit his throat, but his black brothers. 

Society becomes so preoccupied with the circle, they do not realize it is a straight line. Asagai, or rather Hansberry is pleading with her audience to believe in the future. The road there might be bumpy, but society must get there someday. The Youngers moving to the white neighborhood is that Little Rock moment where it will be ugly, but it will set the ground for the future. This shows how the author by creating sympathy for the Youngers' situation is creating sympathy for the real life Youngers of the world.