Final answer:
In the play A Raisin in the Sun, Mrs. Johnson most likely symbolizes racial tension due to her nosy and opinionated nature, which represents the struggles and prejudices faced by African Americans during that time period.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the play A Raisin in the Sun, Mrs. Johnson most likely symbolizes racial tension. She only appears briefly in the play, but her character represents the struggles and prejudices faced by African Americans during that time period.
Mrs. Johnson is described as being nosy and opinionated, constantly questioning and criticizing the Younger family's decisions. Her presence in the play highlights the external pressures and judgments that the Younger family faces as a result of their race.
Furthermore, Mrs. Johnson's interactions with the Younger family reveal the tensions and conflicts between different generations and viewpoints within the African American community. This makes it less likely that she symbolizes hope and optimism or social inequality, and more likely that she symbolizes racial tension.