Examples Of The American Dream In A Raisin In The Sun

The American Dream is a term that is often misunderstood. Some people think that it is about having the kind of money that creates security. As a matter of fact, it is about things much more straightforward and significant. It involves the freedom to pursue a life where a person can be respected and feel like a contributing member of society. Meaning, that the only limits and possibilities on a person’s ability to get ahead, have financial freedom, and gain the respect of others in his community come from the individual. In A Raisin in the Sun, the Younger family is subject to the prejudice against blacks, which keeps them from fulfilling their dreams. This was especially a problem in the 1960s, before the Civil Rights Movement established†¦show more content†¦Walter is showing that he is willing to change to provide a better life for his kid by explaining to Travis, â€Å"No, daddy ain’t drunk. Daddy ain’t never going to be drunk again† (Hansberr y 107). After Walter hears from Mama that Ruth is pregnant and considering an abortion, despite Walter’s pain he can show his willingness to face his problems rather than run away by insisting, â€Å"No-no-Ruth wouldnt do that†(Hansberry 75). Afterwards, when Walter realizes he can take pride in his family and be proud of where he comes from, he gains the self-respect to overcome his difficulties and achieve the American Dream for himself and his family. With Walter now understanding the actual concept of making his own future and achieving the American Dream, he is able to confess to Mr. Lindner with pride and dignity â€Å"we are very proud...and we have decided to move into our house...we don’t want your money† (Hansberry 148). Similarly, when Walter is able to take initiative with his family behind him and take pride in himself, he tells Mr.Lindner to â€Å"Get out of his house man†, he can make his own future and achieve the American Dream bec ause the dream is measured in self-respect (Hansberry 119). Mama can also attain the American Dream because she is determined to stay strong for her family, stay hopeful, and keep them all togetherShow MoreRelatedExamples Of The American Dream In A Raisin In The Sun937 Words   |  4 Pagesyou know that most African Americans werent allowed to vote until 1965, just a little over 50 years ago? This was just one among many struggles faced by black people during the 1950s. Though slavery was finally no longer a hindrance, this did not put an end to racism and financial disadvantages. Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun follows a family of African Americans and how they attempt to overcome these racial barriers in order to live out their individual dreams. When a patriarchal deathRead MoreLorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun1260 Words   |  6 Pagesinevitable, people still dream of catching a mirage. There is a fine line that separates those who are oblivious to this fact, and to those who are aware and accept this knowledge. The people who are oblivious represent those who are ignorant of the fact that their dream will be deferred. This denial is the core of the concept used in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. The perception of the American Dream is one that is highly subjective, but every individual dream ends in its own defermentRead MoreA Raisin In The Sun American Dream Essay1669 Words   |  7 Pagesfree† and home of the â€Å"American Dream.† According to James Truslow Adams in Epic of America, the American Dream is defined as â€Å"that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.† It is based on the foundations of the Declaration of Independence: the rights to Liberty, Life, and the Pursuit of Happiness (Amadeo, What is the American Dream?). People have the right to pursue their dreams and acquire a betterRead MoreT imeless Themes A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry1306 Words   |  6 PagesOne of the most notable plays on the topic of racial minorities and family issues, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, has continued to be popular since it was written in 1959. The play is about an African American family, consisting of five members, who live in Southside Chicago during the post-World-War-Two era. The Younger family is crowded in a tiny, worn, and shabby apartment and they are fairly poor. They never have much surplus money until Walter’s father, and Mama’s husband, died andRead More Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin In The Sun - Dignity and the American Dream1248 Words   |  5 Pagesand the American Dream in A Raisin in the Sun   Ã‚  Ã‚   The American Dream, although different for each of us, is what we all aspire to achieve. In Lorraine Hansberrys, play, A Raisin in the Sun, each member of the Younger family desperately hopes for their own opportunity to achieve the American Dream. The American Dream to the Younger family is to own a home, but beyond that, to Walter Younger, it is to be accepted by white society.    In the book entitled Advertising the American DreamRead More Racism and the American Dream in Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun1340 Words   |  6 PagesA Raisin in the Sun is written by a famous African- American play write, Lorraine Hansberry, in 1959. It was a first play written by a black woman and directed by a black man, Lloyd Richards, on Broadway in New York. The story of A Raisin in the Sun is based on Lorraine Hansberry’s own early life experiences, from which she and her whole family had to suffer, in Chicago. Hansberry’s father, Carol Hansberry, also fought a legal battle against a racial restrictive covenant that attempted to stop African-Read MoreLive a Dream to Face Reality in Raisin in the Sun Essay540 Words   |  3 Pages Living a dream is only a way out of facing reality. Both Raisin in the sun and I have a dream speech relate more than just the words written on the page, But a deeper connection laying further than the eyes can see. Both are remarkable works of literature. They are similar because both works bring up the topic of racial injustice, the american dream and equality.They no longer want to be the words nobody cared to listen to, or simply the dried out raisin in the sun. My first pointRead MoreEssay on Compare Contrast a Raisin in the Sun1026 Words   |  5 PagesCompare and Contrast A Raisin In The Sun Essay In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, and 1961 movie written by Lorraine Hansberry and presented by Columbia pictures, one of the most important themes is the American Dream. Many of the characters have hopes and dreams. They all strive towards their goals throughout. However, many of the characters have different dreams that clash with each other. Problems seem to arise when different people’s dreams conflict with one anotherRead MoreAmerican Dream in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry827 Words   |  3 Pagesfence. This was the cliche American dream. It is what most people think of when they think of the American Dream. The definition of American dream is the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every american. Well does it exist? If people work hard enough towards the dream yes, it does still exist. Moving on from the big picture, two contributions of the American dream are personal happiness and material comfort. For example, material comfort and personalRead MoreWhat Does You Dream Deferred? Lorraine Hansberry s Play, A Raisin And The Sun ``942 Words   |  4 PagesHappens to Dreams Deferred? Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, addresses the hardships of an African-American family living in the projects of post-segregation Chicago. The family aspires to fulfill their dreams of owning a home despite the odds they face. W.E.B Du Bois critical race theory explains the issue of racism and white dominance that not only the family in the play faces, but the African American community as a whole. American society only allows for African Americans to see