Category: A Raisin In The Sun

Dreams are the fulfilments of a wish that people have based on real-life experience and their connections to unconscious desires. Literature has been used to expound on having a dream, with various authors and poets writing books and poems highlighting the issue. In the poem Harlem, the persona asks the readers questions about a delayed vision. The speaker outlines four possible outcomes of having a deferred dream. In the play A Raisin in the Sun, the playwriter uses art to fictionalize encounters of a delayed dream by a family; it is a supposition of the poem by Hughes. Characters in the play struggle to deal with the demanding events that rule their life. The play examines the effects of racial prejudice on the attainment of a dream in an African-American family. A universal message of the craving for social progression amid the differing opinions on attaining it is portrayed. The characters in the play A Raisin in the Sun have varying dreams that are unrelated, each facing complications in its realization.

In A Raisin in the Sun, all five characters Ruth, Lena, Travis, Beneatha, and Walter, have personal dreams they yearn to achieve. Each of them deals with different happenings in their life that put their aspirations on hold, with lack of funds being the main factor impeding the realization of their dreams. Lena looks forward to buying a house for her family and herself (Hanseberry and Nemirof 530). Walter Younger dreamed of being a business owner; however, he could not attain it and had to hope that his children would be able to achieve theirs (Hanseberry and Nemirof 534). Beneatha Younger had ambitions of becoming a doctor, which his brother Walter saw as far-fetched (Hanseberry and Nemirof 577). The two had dreams that got jeopardized due to Walters foolish business dealings with Willy Harris. Ruth desires to move into a big house in a better neighbourhood (Hanseberry and Nemirof 560). Lena laments about their life; to her, God decided to give the black man nothing but just dreams (Hanseberry and Nemirof 540). She has goals for herself and her children, as she wants them to succeed. Being the younger, Travis has no clear ambitions; his vision is made up of the thoughts of those around him.

The author of A Raisin in the Sun approves of Lenas dream of moving into a better and greater house. Lena had always had the ambition to maintain her family with dignity; this made her focus on fulfilling her goal. She kept her familys needs first and constantly worked hard, ensuring they did not suffer. Approval of the dream can be seen as her wish being the only one fulfilled among all the family members. Lena Younger and her husband had imparted the fantasy of moving into a bigger and better house; at last, the dream had been attained, although the husband was not around to witness it. Mama finally bought a home in a white neighbourhood, reassuring her of the familys safety and peace (Hanseberry and Nemirof 582). She also wanted to preserve the memory of her husband, who had dreams and always worked hard, putting the familys needs first. Together they were unable to put in enough money to fulfil the wish. The desire to move into a good house was not to profit her alone but the entire family; this is why Hansberry approved it more than the others.

The play partly answers Hughess question; among all the dreams, mama was the only one who never gave up on her in the end; it was fulfilled. From Hughes poem, the questions asked seeking more clarification on what happens to a dream deferred are answered. Every character in the play A Raisin in the Sun has a plan, but challenges force them to delay. When the play ends, and everyone is happy at the new home, the individual dreams are still uncertain. Upon giving up, there is no progress in achieving the wish. It is evident from the play that if you give up, then what you hoped for can not come to pass. A unique character who never gave up on herself finally sees the results of persevering. Lena finally fulfils the dream she and her husband had long ago before he died (Hanseberry and Nemirof 562). From her revealing experiences, it is evident that a dream deferred will dry up like a raisin in the sun. The only possible way to achieve it is not to give up but struggle till the end.

A dream makes a person not to give up and work towards attaining the goal. The plays author uses five main characters to help explain the consequences of a deferred dream. Further illustrations are developed, indicating the personal setbacks people engage in that impede the realization of a dream. Mama is the only one whose vision is focused on her and the family; the rest have ambitions that only favour themselves. The author approves of the dream as it is fulfilled in the end. Lenas goal of providing a secure and peaceful family home becomes a reality. The plays occurrences partly answer Hughess question about a deferred dream. The ending is uncertain as we do not know what happens to the rest of the Youngers dreams.

Work Cited

Hansberry, Lorraine, and Robert Nemiroff. A Raisin in the Sun. New American Library, 2008.

The realities of the historical and literary processes of the second half of the 20th century convince both literature scholar and usual readers that the strugscholars civil rights, the rise of Black movement understood broadly, was merging with the left-wing literary movement, animated by critical moods, and a deep-seated rush for social justice. This evident trend is represented by first-row names, universally recognized talents. Among them, there is Lorraine Hansberry (1930  1965), playwright, publicist, one of the most prominent voices of the Black revolution, whose work is a phenomenon of a nationwide scale.

African American writer Hansberry was a staunch opponent of possessive morality, economic and political oppression. In a short time, she turned into a playwright, whose works delighted her contemporaries and won the love of millions (Thomas 77-78). Hansberrys plays and journalism speak of her passionate commitment to reviving human dignity. With fierce hatred, she hated the spirit of money-grubbing, seeing in it the source of the social evils of the possessive world, when a person who compromised with his or her conscience becomes an accomplice to those in whose hands the power is. The writer shows her characters in a confrontation with diverse reality and argues the idea of the need to fight social evil, despite the situation, self-interest, and possible outcomes.

In particular, the heroes of Hansberrys play A Raisin in the Sun (1959) are faced with a dilemma: to come to terms with racist morality or to oppose its obvious injustice. Compared to her previous works, in Hansberrys play A Raisin in the Sun, the conflict is filled with new political content; and the range of problems is greatly expanded: individuality, politics, racial discrimination, art and business, the fate of a small person in the bourgeois world. The way of creating a persons image also becomes different. For the heroes of A Raisin in the Sun, the focus of the character on a specific purpose was special. Walter, Beneatha, Ruth, Lena  everyone was striving for something, and this direction of will determine the integrity of their natures: I will go home and much of what I will have to say will seem strange to the people of my village& But I will teach and work and things will happen, slowly and swiftly. At times it will seem that nothing changes at all& and then again& (Hansberry 45).

Hansberrys creativity played an exceptional role in the development of black drama after the Second World War. According to Sheader, the writer can be called the mother of modern black drama no less than Eugene ONeill is the father of national drama (36). In this sense, A Raisin in the Sun fulfilled the same function as the novel about black people Native Son of Richard Wright. The Hansberrys heroes, like Wrights protagonists, live in Chicago, in the black quarter of South Side, in a wretched apartment called the mousetrap (Perry 138). Like the hero of Native Son Bigger Thomas, Thomas Walter Younger in Hansberry works as a chauffeur for a white man; he considers himself a loser, has a stubborn dream of breaking out into better people. It is like Wrights Bigger (let us pay attention to the consonance of names), but matured, settled down, the father of the family.

The coincidence of some situations and scene places between Native Son and A Raisin in the Sun is obvious. However, Hansberry deals with a different era, another generation of Blacks, who have a rush for a better life, and most importantly, the self-esteem of Blacks in her works is expressed more distinctly and in a bolder manner. Moreover, one should note that the Hansberry style itself while comparing it with the style of Wright differs significantly. Wright is prone to dark, even deliberately dramatized colors and language, while Hansberrys style is bright, animated by humor. It is built on subtle psychological nuances, which, of course, is natural for dramaturgy.

Wright, both in the Native Son and in words works, invariably draws a sharp contrast between the world of Blacks and Whites, while Hansberry depicts collisions not only between Blacks and Whites but also within the African American family. Blacks, as well as Whites, are depicted impartially, without simplifications or condescending idealization. If in Wright (primarily, in the Native Son), blacks appear primarily as victims of racism, and this detail is highly emphasized, while Hansberry by no means removing the severity of the racial situation draws her characters in all the richness of their human identity (Perry 138-149). One of the main themes of the play is the way to overcome their own ambitions and rejection of their desire to live without regard to race by white Americans.

It is interesting to note that events are not unfolding in the South, the stronghold of racism, but in the North, with which tradition associates the idea of tolerance in the racial problem. The play attracts not only by its sharpness but also by its deep development of characters. The image of Walter Lee, torn between the traditional values of the Black community  the ideals of love, unity, human dignity  and the values of American society, obsessed with the idea of material success, as well as the image of his mother, embodying the best features of the Black people, are of greatest interest.

A careful reading of A Raisin in the Sun allows the reader to conclude that Hansberry combines convinced intransigence towards racism in all its manifestations with the assertion of the need for unity between Blacks and Whites in the struggle for genuine freedom and true social justice. As it was mentioned above, she pursued this idea persistently both in her journalism and in her fiction. She believed in transforming the world, and her work was full of historical optimism. It is important to note that the principle nature of her position became a significant factor in the 60s when the Black movement was largely overwhelmed by nationalist sentiments (Sheader 20).

A Raisin in the Sun was the first play by an African American author on Broadway to receive the New York Theater Critics Circle Award. Moreover, it is recognized as one of the best dramas in the history of American theater. For several years, the play was translated into 35 different languages and staged in theatres around the world. Today, when the racial issue is once again particularly acute in American society, the Hansberry play continues to find new audiences, while actualizing simultaneously the search for identity and dialogue. All different  all equal  this axiom is affirmed and promoted in the play.

Works Cited

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Modern Library, 1995.

Perry, Imani. Looking for Lorraine: The Radiant and Radical Life of Lorraine Hansberry. Beacon Press, 2018.

Sheader, Catherine. Lorraine Hansberry: Playwright and Voice of Justice. Enslow Pub Inc., 1998.

Thomas, Bijimol. Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun. Quest for Black Female Identity and Universality. Science & Society, Vol. 01, No. 01, 2006, pp. 77-84.

A Raisin in the Sun is a highly controversial but critically appraised play written by Lorraine Hansberry and performed for the first time in 1959. It tells the story of a struggling African American family living in the poverty of Southside Chicago and looking for a better future. The play is praised both for its universal human drama that is relatable to everyone as well as its portrayal of the struggles of the African American community in daily lives in a context of racial injustices and the cycle of poverty. The play deeply explores these socioeconomic factors as well as reflects on the complex nature of black culture and self-identity (Chicago Public Library, n.d.).

Socioeconomic factors are a significant theme in toinhe play. The plot depicts an ordinary African American family that is living in poverty but suddenly encounters an opportunity to improve their lives due to an insurance check. However, their race and current status inhibit them from accomplishing their dreams. Hansberry does not make race the primary issue, but it is present as an overarching theme that hangs over the family. Such as when they purchase a home in a white-only neighborhood, ironically because it is simply the cheapest, they are met with racist attempts to prevent their move to the neighborhood. It is done on the grounds of interracial tensions and is given both veiled threats and financial incentives to not go through with the move. Poverty is also a theme in the play as it greatly discourages each in fulfilling themselves. While some are accepting of it, Walter has an obsession with achieving wealth, seeing it as a transformative power and driving all his decisions, even if they are not financially beneficial to the family in the long term. Poverty has so strongly pressured the family that for some, money seems like the sole answer to all their issues.

In the context of socioeconomic issues, A Raisin in the Sun explores the concept of black identity as it poses difficult questions regarding assimilation and black culture in the United States. The character of Beneatha particularly demonstrates this as she grapples with cultural identity with influences from two suitors. One is successful and wealthy because he chose to assimilate and remove himself from black culture as far as possible, while the other is focused on Afrocentrism and black power (Brady, 2018). These represent two extremes, but an unfortunate reality and choice that many African Americans had to make at the time. Nevertheless, despite the three generations of the family having various tastes, speech patterns, and beliefs, that celebrate the complex richness of black culture, they are united in their defiance of white hostility. It can be argued that the primary issue of black culture in a dominantly white society is not integration, it is the willingness to take serious risks, as done by the Younger family to remove themselves from intolerable poverty and force change in an inherently oppressive system.

The play inherently confronts serious key issues for African American families in the post-World War II era. These include fragmentation of familyintegrityti, on and desegregation, and the search for manhood and identity of black males. Family is a central aspect of the play, which although focusing on racial struggles, encounters problems that can be applied to any race. It is a play that describes aspiring dreams and their destruction by the ruthless reality, based on the famous poem Harlem by Langston Hughes which compares to dream deferred drying up like a raisin in the sun (Hughes, 1951). However, the characters persevere and seek to find ways to move forward. A Raisin in the Sun presents a wide variety of conflicts, including generational, gender, ideological, and the most important conflict of dreams that the family must overcome to find their place and identity.

References

Brady, E. (2018). Two unattainable ideals: Beneathas struggle for identity in A Raisin in the Sun. Undergraduate Review, 14(1), 32-35. Web.

Chicago Public Library. (n.d.). Background and criticism of A Raisin in the Sun. Web.

Hughes, L. (1951). Harlem. Web.

In the play A Raisin in the Sun, several important themes are explored. George Murchison strives towards assimilationism as a way of addressing consistent racial discrimination, while Beneatha sees assimilation as a manifestation of Georges fear of his heritage. Moreover, George sees heritage as raggedy-assed spirituals and some grass huts! while Beneartha shows her pride by wearing her natural hair. Hence, two ways of examining Africacentrism are presented  one that suggests gradual assimilation of African-Americans and one that focuses on preserving their cultural and historical heritage.

Some of the key symbols in this play are pride, generational differences, and capitalism. Pride is displayed though characters actions when they are asked to sell their new home, showing the dignity of these people. The difference in Mamas and her childrens dreams  moving to a new house, getting an education, and investing in a liquor store shows the gap between generations. Capitalism is displayed though the financial difficulties and disparities of the Youngers. They are important because they reinforce the main theme of this work  the characters dreams and struggles.

Racial stereotypes play a role in this play because they affect the decisions of the main characters and the attitudes towards their choice to move to an all-white neighborhood. Mainly, the perception of African Americans as inferior, which affects the characters view of their identities, appearance, and attitudes towards money. The prejudice towards the Youngers becomes evident when they are offered a large sum for their new house, which should stop them from moving into the white neighborhood.

The speech given by Walter shows the similarities and differences between him and college-educated George. Walter experiences difficulties and feels that fate denied him, and he cannot have success. As a result, George compares him to Prometheus as a way of mocking Walters belief in changing the world. Overall, A Raisin in the Sun explores a variety of themes connected to African-Americans race and identity.

References

Hansberry, L. (1959). A raisin in the sun: A drama in three acts. Random House.

Introduction

This play was written by playwright Lorraine Hansberry in 1959. It talks about a young family with a mama Lena Younger, her son Walter Lee, Ruth the wife of Walter, Travis their son and Benetha the young sister to Walter. One of the themes of this play is dreams of a better life. Not all the dreams in this play come true in the end. Nevertheless, there are great moral and social lessons to be learned from it (Hansberry 5-160).

In this essay the dreams of a raisin in the sun are discussed. The dream of each character is analyzed in-depth and the relationship between the dreams is explained. The ways of realizing the different dreams are discussed, conflicts in the different dreams are shown and I have also presented my own views of which dreams were important and not (Hansberry 5-160).

Main Body

Lena younger, the mother of Walter and Benetha and a window is a serious and caring mother. Her dreams are to have a good house for the family which has lived in a poor household. She wants the best education for her daughter Benetha who is in a medical school and in general, she wanted the family to be happy. She plans to realize this dream by using the ten thousand dollar check which is insurance money for the past husband (Hansberry 5-160).

Walters dreams were to expand his Liquor business by obtaining an operating license. This means that he also had a dream of helping the family to prosperity with the money he gets from the business. He plans to achieve this by using the same check his mother is waiting for. This is true because in one of their conversation his wife says &..That aint our money, and I aint going to harass your mama about it (Wechsler 5) He wishes to use his friends to help him get the license. Though the means are provided, because he gets some of the money from his mother, his dreams do not come true as his buddies exploit him instead of assisting him get the license (Hansberry 5-160).

Ruth had a dream of becoming wealthy and successful. She also had a dream of having a fine family and seeing it prosper in its day-to-day activities. Her dreams will be realized through the liquor business of her husband. She believes strongly that when the business gets booming, they will be a rich family. Her dreams which are dependant upon the dreams of the husband are not realized and she comforts herself by accepting that they were just dreams and she was happy that her husband had recovered from the loss of failing to achieve his dreams (Hansberry 5-160).

Benetha had a dream of pursuing her medical studies and becoming a doctor in future. She expects that some money from the insurance check will be kept in the bank for her fees. She is very depressed when she learns that Walter didnt deposit some money for her in the bank. Her dreams seem to be shuttered at this point. Asagai, a friend to Benetha from Nigeria brings the dreams back to life by talking to her. He gives her hope in this life and tells her to forget about the money because it was not meant to be there suppose her father had not died. Her hope of realizing the dreams comes back. She also has another dream of marrying Asagai and working as a doctor in Nigeria, the native land of Asagai (Hansberry 5-160).

The dreams from the different characters are good and all of them aim at a good life and a bright future. Nevertheless some of the dreams are contradicting and conflicting in one way or the other. For example, mamas dream is to use the insurance money to buy a good house for the family which she does. At the same time she wants to use the same money for her daughters education. She wants to kill two birds or even three with the same stone. This may not be possible and it is noted in the play that all these dreams do not come true. The two dreams conflict.

Other dreams which are conflicting in the play are the dreams of Walter and those of the mother. The mother wants to use the money for buying a home and educating the daughter while the son wants the money to enable him own his own business. The question here is what should be given preference and by what criteria will this be determined? Their dreams are good but they are conflicting because they should be realized with the same means which is impossible here because the money is too little for all these needs (Zepetnek 55-64).

The dreams of Walter and Bennie are also conflicting. These are brothers and sisters who should support one another in the realization of their dreams. They should have the same dreams and the same mind. But a close examination of the play will reveal that the two have different mindsets and they keep on fighting because of this. Walter is interested in becoming his own boss in the liquor business. All his life is in the liquor and this is shown when he says &Man, I put my life in your hands& (Hansberry 182) he says this when he discovered that he has lost all the money. Bennie on the other hand thinks of becoming a female doctor. This is not a normal dream for a female black girl in the contest of the time- 1959. It conflicts with the expectations of the world then because a female was not expected to engage in such a tough career during those days. Her dreams also conflict with those of Walter because they need money from mama just like Walters dreams which also require money from the same person (Hansberry 182) (Rea Staff 22-27).

In brief, the dreams of the three characters here conflict. They may have the same dream of having a better life. But on the other side, they are competing with each other. They compete for the insurance money to realize all their dreams. Mama wants to buy a home for the family, Walter wants to invest the money in the liquor business and get rich quickly, and Bennie wants the same money so that she can finish her medical school. These are terrible conflicts that could lead to an explosion which indeed had been prophesied by Walter at the beginning of the play when he reads the morning newspaper which says Set off another bomb yesterday (Hansberry 26). The bomb explodes in his own family at the end of the play (Fitzgerald 23-25).

All their dreams were good but not all of them were important at that particular time. The most important dreams in my view are the dreams of mama. This is because they are universal and will affect all the members of the family if realized. If he buys a good house, it is for the benefit of all because their living standards improve. If he uses the remaining money for the education of their daughter, she will do well and maybe help the family to realize their dreams later in their lives (Hansberry 5-160).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lorraine Hansberry uses her talent to educate people about deferred dreams. When a reader reads this play, then he or she must think critically about what should happen when dreams suspend. Whether one should work hard to realize the dream in the future, whether to get confused and lose the meaning of life, or whether to sit and wait for natural action from nature.

Works cited

Fitzgerald, Scott. The great Gatsby, ZZZ Edition. Scribner Publishers. (1999) 23-25

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Vintage. (2004): 5-160

Rea Staff. CLEP analyzing & interpreting literature (REA)-The best test for the CLEP. Piscataway, NJ. REEARCH & Education approach. (2003):22-27

Wechsler, Raymond. A Raisin in the Sun. ESL notes.com.PDF. 2000:1-32. Web.

Zepetnek, Steven. Comparative literature, 1^st edition. New York: Radopi press. 1988.

Defying Racism: Youngers’ Unyielding Pursuit

Many events affect the Youngers, an African-American family in the play A Raisin in the Sun. The Youngers live in Chicago’s South Side, which contains low incoming housing. The black neighborhood is filled with crime and racial discrimination. The way the Youngers handle racism and refuse to give into the offer that Mr. Linder gives the Youngers to make them change their minds into moving into all white neighborhood shows that they never want to give up on what they want to achieve. Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun demonstrates how racism affects the Youngers’ lives.

Defiance Against Racial Housing Bias

One way racism affects the Youngers is when they try to move to an all white neighborhood. According to Hansberry, “What do you think you are going to gain by moving into a neighborhood where you just aren’t wanted and where some elements-well-people can get awful worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everything they’ve worked for is [being] threatened” (199). Mr. Linder tries to make an excuse for the Youngers to not move into a all white neighborhood by telling them about the incidents of what happens to colored people when they try to move into a all white neighborhood (Tackach par. 7).

Mr. Lindner ruins the fun of the Youngers moving into a new house by just trying to get them to focus on signing the agreement papers, so the Welcoming Committee can buy the house from the Youngers (McGovern par. 10). Hansberry claims, “Our association is prepared, through the collective effort of people, to buy the house from you [to] a financial gain [for] your family” (118). The Youngers are offered a cash payout to not move into the all white neighborhood. The Welcoming Committee wants to keep their community pure and not all allow any colored people into their community (Austin par. 8). Mr. Linder does not want the Youngers to move into all white neighbor by giving them money to keep them from causing a threat in the white communities of Chicago (Brantingham par. 8). The Youngers decided to reject Mr. Lindner offer of money and continued to move into their new house in the all white community.

Job Struggles, Family Dynamics, Personal Growth

Another way the Youngers’ lives are affected is their jobs. Hansberry admits, “Mama, a job? I open and close car doors all day long. I drive a man around in his limousine and [I] say, Yes, sir; no, sir; very good, sir; [where] shall [I Drive you to] sir” (75). Walter does not want to work as a chauffeur for a rich white man anymore (Alder par. 2). Walter is tired of being a chauffeur and he wants to fulfill his dream of opening up a liquor store. (Washington par. 2). Hansberry thinks, “Get on out of here or [your] going to be late” (33). Ruth is a housewife and she is frustrated about Walter’s dream and she keeps on telling Walter to go to work (Austin par. 2). Ruth wants to stop Walter from investing into his liquor store, and she wants him to be their to comfort her (Tackach par. 3). In short, Ruth wants Walter to be there for her, and she gets so frustrated about her being the one who having to tell Walter what to do and she doesn’t want Walter to go into the liquor store business at all.

Furthermore, family issues affects the Youngers by explaining what they are going through. Hansberry notes, “No–he don’t [even] try at all ‘cause he knows [your] going to come along behind him and fix everything” (43). Ruth complains about Travis not trying to make his bed correctly (Washington par. 1). Ruth does not like the way the couch is or how they are living in their apartment (Brantingham par. 1). Hansberry thinks, “No, Mama, something is happening between Walter and me. I don’t [even] know what it is– but he needs something-something I can’t give him anymore” (45). Something is wrong with Walter and Ruth’s relationship as husband and wife, but she cannot figure it out it might be the baby (Alder par. 5). She does not want to have another baby in the family, so she cannot decide what to with it (Tackach par. 2). In brief, Ruth decides to get an abortion with her baby and wants to restore her, and Walter’s relationship as a married couple by telling Mama not to let Walter open up his liquor store.

Moreover, pride affects the Youngers’ lives. Hansberry says, “(Thoughtfully, and [she thought] suddenly very far away) Ten thousand dollars–” (46). The mother of the younger family thinks if she buys a house in a nice all white neighborhood it would uplift her family and make everything better for their lives (Austin par. 1). All Mama wants is to make her family feel good about themselves and help them get over their fear of discrimination and racism and help them to focus on the ideas that are positive (McGovern par. 5). Hansberry agrees “No–it was always [about] money, Mama. We just didn’t know about it” (76). Walter thinks money only makes up life (Washington par. 3). Walter thinks about money too much it gets to the point that he starts becoming boastful about money (Brantingham par. 7). All in all, Walter soon realizes that money is not life, and he decides to fulfill his dream of being a man instead of owning a liquor store.

Dreams Shaping Youngers’ Lives

Finally, dreams affect the Younger daily lives. Hansberry states, “Yeah. You see, this liquor store we got in mind cost seventy-five thousand and we figured the initial investment on the place [will] be [about] thirty thousand, see” (36). Walter really wants to get involved into opening up his own liquor store to fulfill his dream

(Tackach par. 1). Even though Walter is really excited about fulfilling his dream, Mama does not approve of him opening a liquor store (Alder par. 2). Hansberry comments, “ Well I always wanted me a [small] garden like I used to sometimes at the back of the houses down houses” (55). Mama wants a garden and wants to buy a house in a all white neighbor (Tackach par. 5). Mama wants to move out of the apartment and buy and house and ignore the issues in the all white community (McGovern par. 14). Therefore, The Youngers moves into the new house no matter what happens to them in the the all white community.

In simpler terms, housing, family, jobs, discrimination, and dreams affect the Youngers’ lives in A Raisin in the Sun. The Youngers complain about how they live in a run down apartment in Chicago’s Southside. The Youngers struggle with family issues when Walter wants to open a liquor store. The Youngers deals with problems at their jobs because Walter hates being a chauffeur for a rich white man, and he does not want to return to his job. The Youngers embrace with discrimination by rejecting Mr. Lindner’s money offer, and they move into the new house even though the white community thinks that they are a threat. Regardless of race, the Youngers should be welcomed in Clybourne Park and treated equally because they are humans. People’s race should not play a role in fulfilling their dreams.

References:

1. Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin In The Sun. Vintage Books, 1994.
2. Alder, Thomas P. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition, 2006, pp.1-2.
3. Austin, Adell. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Cyclopedia of Literary Characters, Revised Third Edition, 1998, pp.1 -2.
4. Brantingham, Philip. “A Raisin in the Sun.’ Masterplots II, Drama, 1990, pp.1-3.
5. Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin In The Sun. Vintage Books, 1994.
6. Leeson, Richard M. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Identities & Issues in Literature, 1997, p. 1-1.
7. McGovern, Edythe M. “A Raisin in the Sun”. Masterplots II, Women’s Literature Series,1995, pp.1-3.
8. Tackach, James. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Masterplots, Fourth Edition, 2010, pp.1-3.
9. Washington, Gladys J. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Masterplots II, Revised Edition, 2008, pp.1-3.

Themes Shaping Lives: Dreams, Struggles, Ambitions

A Raisin in the Sun revolves around many themes that are displayed throughout the story. Each character contributes to and portrays these themes in significant ways. The themes that are revealed are dreams, racism, poverty, money, and pride, and these themes revolve around the characters. The dream theme shows how each member of the Younger family has dreams they all want to accomplish. Poverty is also present as they live in a poor neighborhood in Chicago and experience racism from the white spokesman who tries to persuade the Younger family not to move to the district. Furthermore, the themes of money and pride create a lot of conflicts within the family as they bring forth hatred because everyone wants Mr. Younger’s insurance money for their own purposes.

Dreams are the main theme in A Raisin in the Sun, and dreams can save or destroy a person. In A Raisin in the Sun, each character is constantly struggling, and conflicts develop as everyone wants insurance money to achieve their dreams. Although their ambition drives them, money is a source of tension. For example, Beneatha and Walter may not achieve their dreams due to the money being scammed by Walter’s friend. As one literary critic notes, “The Younger family is tired from struggling and suffering and hope to grow and inherit something someday” (Ardolino, 181).

In A Raisin in the Sun, the story also shows that Mama is willing to do anything to assist her family in fulfilling their dreams. Dreams give characters in the story something to strive for, such as Beneatha wanting to go to a university to study to become a doctor even though she is an African American woman, and that was unheard of. Lena Younger (Mama) and Ruth wanted to live in a bigger house and not one that they must share with other people. Walter wanted to invest in a liquor store, so he could be his own boss, not have to work as a chauffeur for a white man, and be financially successful. Each of the characters has a distinct dream, and these dreams have been deferred at first because of the family’s financial status. Poverty caused them to struggle and deal with unfair situations, which inhibited them from living a better life and attaining their dreams. Therefore, everyone was frustrated with life.

Hope, Dreams, Racism, Defiance

The death of Mr. Younger resulted in the family receiving an insurance check of $10,000, which made the family’s dreams possible and even generated new opportunities for them. Both Walter and Beneatha’s dreams were in jeopardy when Walter’s friend scammed him of the investment money, but a sense of hope was renewed when the family decided to pursue Lena Younger’s dream of moving out of the apartment into a nice house. Hansberry captures this sense of hope when Ruth shouts, “Good-bye to these goddamned cracking walls! These marching roaches and this cramped little closet. Hallelujah and good-bye misery” (85).

The dream of having a house is a central theme as it unites the family. This demonstrates that the perseverance of a dream leads to a sense of faith despite struggles and continuously deferring dreams. The expectation of escaping poverty is possible after Mr. Younger’s death. The story exemplifies that people can have victory over difficulties. As Ardolino reported, Mama’s plant symbolizes this theme because “the plant is the last thing she takes with her when they move” (181). Lena (Mama) has big dreams and hopes as she nurtures and raises her family, often comparing her life to the plant that she regularly tends for its growth as she dreams of owning a house with a garden.

Another theme explored was racism, as the Mr. Linder character makes bigotry prominent in the story and a reality that the Younger family cannot avoid. Mr. Linder and the other white people in the play only see the color of the Younger family’s skin and bribe them not to move into their neighborhood. However, the Younger family responds to their racist act with defiance and strength. According to Rose, By creating a drama based on a Black domestic sphere that exposes the interior, intimate impact of structural racism via housing segregation, oppression, economic exploitation, and inaccessible educational opportunity, Hansberry is able to reveal the importance of this nexus in a deft and Complex fashion. (30-31)

Race, Discrimination, Unity

A Raisin in the Sun depicts how racism inhibits the Younger family from accomplishing their dreams and can complicate a dream. Also, the play shows how race can influence one’s life. Mr. Linder and the white neighbors discriminate against the Younger family solely based on race, even though they do not know them. When the family is offered a bribe, it threatens to tear apart the family apart, and they must decide about the values that they stand for. The significance of race and racism is captured by Zohdi, who writes that “There is almost no community of intellectual life or point of transference where the thoughts and feelings of one race can come into direct contact and sympathy of the other” (12). The Younger family, in the end, stands up and reaffirms their dignity by deciding to move into the house.

Pride, Money, Poverty

The third theme is pride. Pride is a unifying force and drives many behaviors in the Younger family. Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, it is evident that Mama raised her family with dignity, pride, morals, and a desire to carry these traits out as their ancestors did. A sense of pride is illustrated when Mr. Linder, the white district representative, tries to persuade the Younger family not to move into their neighborhood. Yet, because of their values and dignity, the Youngers didn’t accept the money.

According to critiques of A Raisin in the Sun, “Despite the family’s dreadful economic circumstances, they decisively refuse to lose their pride in the pursuit of financial income” (Rose,10). Pride is also revealed as Walter is a chauffeur for a white man, which he hates, and therefore he is desperate to open a liquor store because he absolutely hates being someone’s servant. Lena Younger conveys and instills pride in her children in respect for their ancestors. Even when they were being criticized, they still considered their ancestral dignity to be great.

Money creates conflicts and hostility in the Younger household. The lack of money initiates struggles for them. For example, Walter feels less of a man as he is unable to provide for his family, and financial strains cause Ruth to consider getting an abortion. In addition, both Mama and Beneatha are also affected by the family’s economic constrain as both of their dreams depend on money to achieve and make it a reality. Mama sees the insurance money to accomplish her dream of owning a house, and Beneatha’s dream of going to medical school depends greatly on the money.

Poverty is another theme identified in the story. The Younger family lives in unpleasant conditions and is dominated by poverty. Correspondingly, how poverty rationalizes and produces inequalities. “blacks and white were still separated; there usually existed no interaction between them apart from work” (Nowrouzi, 5). Living conditions for the Younger family were difficult because they were financially unstable. Poverty was displayed in the story as the houses were in terrible condition, in which the Younger family was forced to tolerate this ailment as they didn’t have a choice.

The story is solely based on the struggle between dreams for each character, Lena’s dream is small but realistic, and Walter’s immense and ego-boosting dream creates resentment. In Addition, blatant prejudice is seen between Walter and Karl Linder, the spokesman for the all-white community where she hopes to reside. His implicit indications of fear are enough for an individual to grasp how viciousness in a race develops.

References:

1. Ardolino, F. (2017). Dreams Deferred but Dreams Nevertheless: A Dream Analysis of A Raisin in the Sun. Journal of American Drama and Theatre, 29(3), 181.
2. Rose, L. J. (2003). The Politics of Race and Reason: A Raisin in the Sun. African American Review, 37(1), 5-12.
3. Zohdi, M. (2013). “I Am Not the Devil”: Racial Anxiety and Reproductive Freedom in A Raisin in the Sun. Theatre Journal, 65(1), 19-34.
4. Nowrouzi, A. (2016). Black Dreams in A White World: Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Open Access Library Journal, 3(9), 1-9.

Travis: Ambition Amid Struggle

Throughout the 1950s, black life was depicted in Lorraine Hansberry’s play as one of the most genuine portrayals after the publication of the book around half a decade later. Hansberry’s unique critique for making life-like characters in the play as long as a book. Through the depiction of young Travis, the distinct portrayal shows that there can be ambition in the families that may be having a troublesome time and relief through comics that relate to the play and the book.

Travis: Comic Relief and Impact

The son of Walter and Ruth, named Travis, is an immense relief of comic relief at the beginning of the story when times are difficult and upsetting. The life of young Travis can be how, at the beginning when he is depicted sleeping in his bed, while in his case, he is on the couch as his mom tries to wake him up to go to school, which was important during the time period (25). In his gloomy and lonely apartment, many people can relate to the parenting or being a mother aspect that shows the caring aspect in some audiences of races or different classes.

Although the child does not want to leave the couch where he sleeps, it still depicts that he enjoys the comfort and safe aspect of being in his apartment, although it is not the most ideal place to live for his family. When Walter asks Travis why he has to carry the groceries home from school, Travis phrases that it is his responsibility because his mom will not let him borrow two quarters. This depicts that it is more of a wrongdoing on Travis’s part as his dad gives him a whole dollar, although it is not the most ideal and honest decision to disobey his wife’s decision. Travis’s character does not only make the mood of the beginning of the play ambitious, but he also impacts other characters’ decisions later on in the play.

Travis’s Influence on Dreams

When Travis’s mom is having a difficult time spending money on the insurance on the house, Travis decides to lighten up his mom’s mood on what to decide. When Mama chooses to share the troubling news with the family, Travis states back, “I always wanted to live in a house” (91). The audience knows that Travis is just a kid that likes to believe in what he would like in order to help out the family, but he does not know that he is just making his mother feel bad about the situation she is going through.

This will be an immense change in his life because it could change the way he thinks about Young people. Although Ruth could not disguise her happiness during the frustrating news, she still plans on punishing Travis for being out too late past his curfew during the same scene in the play and thinks about not following through. She feels regret by saying to herself that she doesn’t “feel like whipping anyone today!” (94). It can be very easy to get involved in the situation of Walter’s character as he gets frustrated with the decision of Travis’s mom. The immediate concern of all the adults about Travis’s future during this time is what keeps imaginative thinking in a dreaming child during a difficult time. This relates back to the theme of dreams throughout the play.

Travis: Hope Amid Challenges

In the situation of Travis’s life throughout the play, dreams are an important factor in how his dreams might turn out to be hopeless, which relates perfectly to the title of the play, A Raisin in the Sun. In life, people in their childhood bring out hopefulness and have an immense impact on what their peers can relate back to in troubling dilemmas. This brings many possibilities later in the life of the Younger family.

References:

1. Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Vintage Books, 1959.
2. Stuckey, Sterling. “Race and Realism in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun.” American Literature, vol. 60, no. 4, 1988, pp. 562-578.
3. Bloom, Harold, editor. Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Infobase Publishing, 2008.
4. Watson, Steven. “Childhood Dreams and Social Realities in A Raisin in the Sun.” Modern Drama, vol. 58, no. 4, 2015, pp. 501-520.
5. Loos, Pamela, and Anne Fleche, editors. Lorraine Hansberry: A Research and Production Sourcebook. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1999.

Money’s Dual Role

If you could have anything in the world right now, what would that be? Now some would say a nice house and a fancy car. However, most people would say money. Money is important to people, it is used to pay your bills, buy groceries and exchange items with other people. Even though money is important, some people and families don’t have good funding from their jobs and live paycheck after paycheck. Living a life in debt is not an easy life to live. You don’t have as much or sometimes no choice in how you spend your money, and most live off the street because of it. People see money as a gift, but others can see it as a curse.

Money’s Impact in Drama

Multiple examples can be found in “A Raisin In The Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry this play can show you both the good and the bad side of money. On the one hand, the happiness money can bring to people helping them reach their goals, and on the other hand, it can make people go mad and argue with each other. “A Raisin In The Sun” takes place in the South side of Chicago in 1959, an african-american family is about to receive a check of $10,000 for an insurance policy from a deceased Mr.Younger. Everyone has an idea of what they would use the money for, Mama, the wife of Mr.Younger, would like to buy a house to share the dream she wanted with her husband. Mama’s son walter lee wants to use the money to invest in a liquor store. Beneatha’s dream is to become a doctor; however, by the play’s end, Walter’s lost investment puts both his and Beneatha’s dreams in jeopardy.

Money’s Destructive Influence

Money makes the world go round in the country we live in now, and it’s been that way for a long time, money gives you power, and some people can go crazy because of it. Walter Lee was one person that let money go to his head. At the beginning of the play, we can see early Walter’s dream of opening up a liquor store, but Mama has other plans with the cash, she plans on buying something more for the family, a new home. The insurance money makes Walter more aggressive as the play goes on, even to the point of yelling at his mother about how much he wants money “I want so many things that they are driving me kind of crazy…Mama – look at me.” (act one scene two Lorraine Hansberry) this clearly indicates how money can make someone go mad the desire to have more than what you got can have a very bad negative effects on a person.

Dual Nature of Money’s Impact

Dreams have a big impact on this play, and just as money is a bad thing, it can also cause good. Mama’s and her husband’s dream was to have a new home, and Mama finally gets to have her dream in the play not only did she buy a new home, but she was able to give cash to her family as well. With the insurance money, Mama has made everyone happy around the time this play takes place, money is very scarce for family’s, so when everyone hears it was 10,000 dollars, the family is taken by shock because they are used to not having any at all.

Everyone has a different take on what money is to them, but A raisin in the Sun does a very good job showing both the good and the bad side of money it shows us, the reader or the audience, that on one side, money can make your dream become a reality like with Mama and her new home, and the not so pretty side where it engulfs’s your life and you want it all. Just like how Walter became obsessed with money and it was the only thing he wanted, however, Mama grew up in a time where freedom was the only thing that they could ask for. “So now it’s life. Money is life.

Once upon a time freedom used to be life – now it’s money. I guess the world really do change…” (page 7). Mama has more wisdom growing up in rough conditions, but w]Walter didn’t have to struggle like Mama had too, and because of this, it shows how money can shape people’s minds and make it seem like a need in their life.

References:

1. Hansberry, L. (1959). A Raisin In The Sun. Random House.
2. McClinton, J. (2001). Money and Dreams in “A Raisin in the Sun”. In A Companion to Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun (pp. 85-97). Greenwood Publishing Group.
3. Schwartz, B. (2004). The Influence of Money on Human Behavior. Psychological Science Agenda, 17(5), 7-8.
4. Kasser, T., & Kanner, A. D. (2004). Psychology and Consumer Culture: The Struggle for a Good Life in a Materialistic World. American Psychological Association.
5. Mills, C. W. (1951). White Collar: The American Middle Classes. Oxford University Press.
6. Du Bois, W. E. B. (1903). The Souls of Black Folk. A.C. McClurg & Co.

The American Dream is the belief that anyone can accomplish their own version of success in a society where the capacity of rising to a higher social or economic position is possible for everyone. Everyone interprets the American Dream in their own way, for some, it’s wealth and fame while for others it’s simply happiness and freedom. A Raisin in the Sun opened on March 11, 1959, and it was the first play written by an African American to be produced on Broadway. In the play, “ A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry there are multiple characters with different dreams. Lena, who we are introduced to as Mama is the head of the household and wants more for her family, she’s tired of living in a small, cramped apartment where her grandson Travis has to sleep on the couch and they share a bathroom with people in the complex. Beneatha is the daughter of Mama. What is Beneatha’s Dream in A Raisin in the Sun? Her dream is to become a doctor and be her own person, she’s independent and is tired of being taken as a joke. Walter Lee is the son of Mama and the husband of Ruth, his dream is to buy a liquor store, he wants the ability to “own” something and the privilege to call something his. The American Dream is achieved through risk-taking, challenging the expectations of society, and sacrifice.

Mama dreams of moving her family into a nice house with space for the kids to play and a garden she can take care of. Mama is hoping to gain an achievement of a plan she and Big Walter had but couldn’t achieve until now, now that she has this money. When we are first introduced to Mama in Act I Scene I, we are also introduced to the plant, many will think it’s nothing but it is symbolic. The plant is frail but tough, she pulls it out every morning symbolically showing her dedication to her dream. In Act, I Scene I Mama says, “Big Walter used to say, he’d get right wet in the eyes sometimes, lean his head back with water standing in his eyes and say, “ Seem like God didn’t see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams-but he did give us children to make them dreams seem worthwhile.” This quote shows us that Big Walter’s dream was Mama’s dream which was not focused primarily on them but their kids. Mama references this quote to show that black parents’ dreams always seem deferred towards their children. She takes a step forward towards the American Dream by taking a risk and putting a down payment on a house in Clybourne Park an all-white neighborhood.

Beneatha’s main dream from the start is to become a doctor and save her race from ignorance. We see Beneath trying to achieve the American Dream by challenging the expectations and views of society. Firstly, she wants to become a doctor. This is huge for the time the playsets the time in for the simple fact that she’s a colored woman! In Act, I Scene I Beneatha is angry with her brother and sarcastically says, “ Well- I do- all right? – thank everybody! And forgive me forever for wanting to be anything at all! FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME!” With her father’s insurance money she wanted to be able to go to medical school to prove everyone wrong and make something out of herself. Beneatha is looked at as obnoxious, stuck up, and ignorant but she’s just misread and wants her own place in the world. Unlike Mama and Ruth, she’s not traditional in the family way, she doesn’t want to be in the shadow of a man. Independence and being true to herself are two traits Bennie possesses no matter who she hurts. Beneatha is also realistic in the sense she’s not stuck on the idea that she has to find a man and get married, she always believes that god has nothing to do with the success one achieves.

What is Walter’s Dream in A Raisin in the Sun?

Walter’s dream is to be rich and live out their current lifestyle. He wants to be the man that gives driven around and gets doors open for him. His dream is beyond him, he wants his wife to be able to wear pearls and his son to be someone. Throughout the book, we see Walter’s aggression progress due to the fact that he is not satisfied with his current situation mentally and financially and nobody in the house wants to hear him out on this liquor store this is displayed in Act I Scene I when Walter was trying to have a conversation with Ruth on how sucky his life is and how he only has stories about how rich white people live to tell his son and Ruth responds with, “ Eat your eggs, Walter.” At this moment we see Walters’s frustration splurge on how nobody listens to him. Walter Lee makes a huge sacrifice when Mama gives him $6,500 which is $3,500 for him and $3000 to deposit for Beneatha’s medical school and he goes and invests it all. We later find out towards the end of Act II, that Walter lost all the money. “Son … Is it gone? Son, I gave you sixty-five hundred dollars. Is it gone? All of it? Beneatha’s money too?” Walter then replies, “ Mama … I never … went to the bank at all …” Instead of going to the bank to do the right thing Walter takes a huge risk and it ends up backfiring on him, but it ends up hurting way more people than just him. Beneatha isn’t surprised by his failure and she believes her brother is losing his mind, “ [He] done almost lost his mind thinking about money all the time.” This scenario ends up hurting Beneatha’s dream. When he ends up losing all this money this brings the family into a deeper depression.

The American dream is achieved through risk-taking, challenging the expectations of society, and sacrifice. Even though they didn’t achieve the American Dream, Mama was successful in achieving her goal of moving out of the tiny, cramped apartment and buying a house for her and her family which was her dream. From Mama’s perspective, the American Dream was about happiness and freedom more than wealth and fame which in the end she got which makes her successful in completing it. Unfortunately, we don’t get to find out if Beneatha ended up going to Africa with Asagai or achieving her dream of becoming a doctor the way the play ends. Walter’s American Dream was wealth which from what is in the play he was unsuccessful. At the very end of the play, Walter standing up for the family unites them and from what we read they end up happy and move into their new home.