Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

1214 Words5 Pages
As Tommy Hilfiger once said, “The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream.” This man, understands the hard work, and the obstacles necessary before reaching this ultimate dream. Throughout “A Raisin in the sun” authors Lorraine Hansberry, Walter Lee Younger, Ruth Younger, Beneatha Younger, Travis Younger, and Lena Younger have to conquer many obstacles in order to achieve the ultimate American Dream. Though the younger family faces obstacles, they are hard workers whose strengths provide opportunities and allow them to achieve the American Dream. Throughout the play, the Youngers face issues involving communication, poverty, and traditional values in the family.…show more content…
Walter feels “That is just what is wrong with the colored woman in this world…Don’t understand about building their men up and making ‘em feel like they somebody. Like they can do something”(Hansberry 34). because Ruth will not pay attention to him. We also see there is no communication coming from Ruth when Walter asks her “You tired, ain’t you? Tired of everything. Me, the boy, the way we live – this beat-up hole – everything. Ain’t you? (She doesn’t look up, doesn’t answer)”( Hansberry 32). Poverty is a major obstacle for the Younger family as they attempt to achieve the American Dream. The youngers are part of the “vast majority of 20 million Negro brothers smothering in an airtight cage of poverty in the midst of an affluent society”(Letter from Birmingham) therefore Ruth constantly refuses to give Travis money because they simply, “don’t have it”(Hansberry 30). This struggle is also shown when we notice there is barely any room for any new member to join the Younger family, and when a pregnancy is announced, Beneatha is worried where the baby would…show more content…
The Younger family is ultimately able to attain the American Dream by standing up for their rights, moving to a better neighborhood, and becoming a more united Family. Throughout the play, the Younger family stands up for their beliefs. When Walter calls Lindner to the apartment, everyone expects for him to take the deal but as a “momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope”(I have a dream) hoping to make a good example for his son, he instead tells Mr. Linder that they “have decided to move into (their) house”(Hansberry 148). Even though Mr. Lindner attempts to persuade the Younger family into thinking otherwise, by repeatedly asking about what “(they)are going to gain by moving into a neighborhood where (they) just aren’t wanted”(119) the Younger family, firmly stands by their decision. The Youngers achieve the American dream by buying a property of their own, into different neighborhood. Mama dreams of a “little old two-story somewhere, with a yard where Travis could play in the summertime” (Hansberry 44). because she believes “It makes a difference in a man when he can walk on floors that belong to him…” (Hansberry 124). Ruth could not believe mama “did it [bought a house]! …” All she wanted was “a home...a home.” (Hansberry 91-92). By becoming a more unified bunch, the Youngers achieve more than just one American Dream, they excell to be a better family. Mama feels that she “ain’t got nothing, don’t
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