A Raisin in the Sun and the American Dream

The play is about an African American family in the late 1940s that dwell in poverty and racism a characteristic of the American society during that time and hence explores their hopes and dreams for a better future. Hence, A Raisin in the sun is perceived as an illustration of the pursuit of the elusive American Dream which is the primary theme all thru the play. This is for the plays centering upon the ambitions of African Americans during the mid-twentieth century as they struggled to break out of the poverty chains that majority of them were shackled in (Hansberry (a) 171, 173). Thus, Hansberry play portrays the universal quest to better an individual life and that of his or her generations by focusing particularly on the African Americans experience in the Chicago neighborhood.

Through this, Hansberry depicts how issues of race, discrimination and economic challenges impact the black man’s responsibility and his identity towards realizing their dream of a better future hence focusing much of the specifics of surpassing both race and nationality to realize one’s aspirations. From the above accounts, therefore, A Raisin in the Sun ideally discusses how an individual can redeem themselves in their case they fail to achieve their desired goals offering people the confidence to face the impediments and attempt again to fulfill their American dream. In the plot summary of A Raisin in the Sun, the African- American family resides on the Southside of Chicago and desires shift into a new home in the white middle-class suburb where the houses are much bigger, conducive and less costly compared to those in the black neighborhood.

Thus, upon the family receiving of a $10,000 insurance check, both Mama, and Walter American dream conflict and affects the younger family through materialism and their aspiration to be the ultimate American family. The battle is propagated by racial prejudices against the blacks in and low income of the African Americans in Chicago. Therefore, on receiving the cash, Mama desires to buy her family a house as per the desire of her deceased husband, Mr. Mama, Walter and Beneatha’s mother, love her children unconditionally and desires to support them as much as possible and hence receiving the $10,000 life insurance check after her husband death makes her think that both her dream alongside her husband of acquiring a new home for the family was finally coming true.

She had always desired to own a home that had a garden and a well-furnished interior to make her family comfortable. Because of her love towards her family, she takes care of a plant that symbolizes her family in a way. She continuously protects the plant in hopes of realizing her dream and likens it to her family (Loos 51). To substantiate the aforementioned, Mama can be quoted saying, “Lord if this little plant dong gets more sun than it’s been getting it ain’t never going to see spring again” (Hansberry (b) 7). However, despite their diverging opinions regarding the American dream, Beneatha is still determined to represent distinct woman as her ambitions differ with the culturally constructed traditions that limit women dreams and participation in the corporate world (Vargas, 35, 45).

Walter is equally motivated to attain his dream of becoming a business owner and provide a better life without struggle and financial instability for his family as illustrated when he narrates to his son how life would change once he succeeds and achieves the American dream. Here, Walter craves for economic independence as the pictures how he will soon own his own liquor store and provide for his family. He can be in fact quoted acknowledging his desire to succeed when he says, “A job Mama? I open and close doors all day long, I drive a man around in his limousine, and I say, ‘yes sir, no sir’…shall I take the drive, sir. ’ Mama that ain’t no kind of job, that ain’t nothing at all” Hansberry (b) 19).