Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

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It is of common nature that people work hard to attain a specific goal they have set for themselves. The American Dream is a principle that every citizen of the United States has a fair possibility to acquire success by initiative of working hard and determination. In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, the Youngers, an African- American family, is depicted as struggling with finical hardships. At the emergence of the play, the Youngers receive a 10,000 dollar insurance check. This money originates from Mr. Younger’s life insurance policy whom is deceased. The American Dream is significant and unique to each individual; however, the American Dream has a universal meaning. In this play, the American Dream symbolizes two conflicting meanings for Mom and Walter. Individuals believe that power and wealth are two objects that dictate success. Walter’s view of the American Dream was solely confined to the ideal of materialism. In the play, Walter wants to take the insurance check and use it to open a nearby liquor store. In Walter’s eyes the liquor store symbolizes wealth and power. Walter’s ultimate motive of becoming…show more content…
In this play, Lena Younger’s ultimate purpose is providing for her children and instilling strong values in them. Lena wants to use her husband’s insurance money to purchase a home for her family. A home can promote unity which is important for a family. Lena believes that a home would signify their family moving up in the world. Lena says, "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" (I.i.206). This quote shows that Lena’s sole purpose of her dream is not for her, but in fact for her family. Lena is determined to gain a new home for her family. A home is symbolizes a new beginning, which is exactly what the Youngers need after the death of their
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