Convergent Thinking Vs Divergent Thinking in a Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry:

Convergent Thinking Vs Divergent Thinking in a Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry:

Keywords: Divergence, Convergence, Characteristics, Psychology, Philosophy

Divergent thinking can effect negatively without convergent thinking as in Walter’s case in a raisin in the sun. Walter describes that he wants many things. It means his thoughts are dispersed on different directions and he can’t focus on one point. His talking starts from money and ends on money also. To be successful it is necessary to know what should hold on and what to give up.

Stories like, Divergent, teaches a lot about human condition. As long as we are willing to learn from the lessons they teach us. As Tom Stoppard said, “Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.”Convergent thinking and divergent thinking can be defined differently.

1-Define Convergence:

Convergent thinking follows a particular set of logical steps to arrive at one solution, which in some cases is a correct solution. By contrast, divergent thinking occurs in a spontaneous as free-flowing.  Many ideas are generated through convergent thinking. Many possible solutions are explored to find out the conclusion. Divergent thinking process is organized by convergent thinking.

       A-Characteristics of Convergence:

 A convergence approach makes compelling argument for why it is essential to bring together in specific challenges or in social problems. Ruth in the play judges a lot about Walter and Beneatha and concludes as, “You got good children, Lena. They just a little off sometimes but they're good.”

Walter seems to stick with divergent thinking without convergent thinking. He compares him with rich boys. He is impressed by the quiet-looking restaurants where white boys deal worth millions of dollars. There is not much difference in his age and theirs. But there is big difference in their earning and the facilities they enjoy comparing with him. He victimizes of self-pity.

He complaints that he has to do humiliating job as open and close car doors for others. He has to attend them respectfully and he is not satisfied with his job. Walter says that he wants so many things which are driving him crazy. He wants his sister to earn to support family. He has objection for family has to pay her education fee.

Mama concludes after thinking and observing a lot that she wants to fulfill the dream she and her husband had seen for the family. It was to buy a home with a little garden in the back. Travis would be able to sleep in better place. She would be able to care of plants and family members better than before. She argues that God gives children to dream worth-while.

B- Psychology:

 In a raisin in the sun Mama describes things keeping in mind the convergent issues. Sometimes she emphasizes on power of faith in God and on another time she argues that freedom is life and man pays for it.

  Walter penetrates on divergence thinking without having convergence thinking. He only sees, thinks and focuses on money and materialistic matters. Mama argues as, “Once upon a time freedom used to be life, now it’s money.” Something is new. She is worried for children are not proud on what parents have done for them. Walter’s all arguments are related to money. Throughout he doesn’t think to conclude but in end he begins convergence thinking.

       C- Philosophy:

Keeping in mind the convergence, divergence thinking is benefitted. It untangles the troubling knots. Mama says freedom is everything and there is always something to love. Mama explains that someone has learnt nothing in love if he hasn’t learnt about love. She argues on the importance of freedom in life.

       3-Define Divergence:

Sometimes a man does not keep pace with his companions because he hears different drummers far away like Walter in the play. Turning eyes to fixate farther away causes divergence and it differs from each other in form and function. The act of moving away from a common point takes in different directions. Divergent thinking is a thought process to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions positively.

A-Characteristics of Divergence:

There are some uses and misuses of the divergence. To think about different directions for better results is benefitted. To involve in self pity and increase negativity is a curse in divergence thinking as Walter exposes in a raisin in the sun.

Walter says about money as, “it is life”. He thinks that money is everything and brings all happiness in life. His extreme divergence thinking takes him far from the reality. Actually he finds no way to come back for convergence thinking. It is mama who makes him realize his mistake. In last he begins to think that home is more important. She also convinces him that when a man goes outside to look for peace he can never have peace.

 He thinks that money develops love in couple. Due to money he can educate his son in a big school of America. In this way he would make his son more successful in life. He dreams relate to money for the sake of his family. He says to Mama as, “Do you know what this money means to me. Do you know what this money can do for us. Mama I want so many things.”

Mama observes divergence thinking in her children. There are some ideas which she can’t compromise in house. She becomes hard to teach right meaning of religion and God to Beneatha.To see extreme love of money in Walter he hands over him some money to give him lesson. She argues that real thing is freedom but not money. She makes him to take decision being a future head of the family.

Divergence is convincing novel by Veronica Roth. It bases on a dystopian future society that is divided into five factions, which serve to maintain social order and in result control over individuality. We can empower ourselves to be more courageous and less passive in lives.

B-Psychology:

 Without convergent thinking, divergent thinking is harmful and leaves negative effects on human beings psychologically. Religion bestows faith and self trust. Mama hears Beneatha to say, “I’m just tired of hearing about God all the time.” She also says that God is just one idea. She says straightforward that she doesn't believe in God. She gets tired of Him getting credit for all the struggles and efforts human beings do.

  Mama considers to handle it strictly. She argues that it doesn't sound nice for a young girl to say and she isn’t brought up that way. She and her husband used to take them to church every Sunday to strengthen their faith in God and in themselves.

        C-Philosophy:

Truth of life is the more a person thinks about things not in hand the more he ignores what is in hand. Walter says to Mama that he wants many things. In this way he considers the facilities he has not. Sean Ross illustrates, “Convergence generally means coming together, and divergence generally means moving apart.”

Conclusion:

 Convergent and divergent thinking represent two different ways of looking. A convergent thinker sees limited options while divergent thinker is looking for more options. Convergent applies as coming together and divergent develops ideas in different directions.

Man is cursed if he has divergence thinking all the time with no focus on convergence thinking. Divert thinking causes as an act of converging which moves toward uniformity.