A Raisin in the Sun & the American Dream

The American dream in the 50s was close to materialism. The ownership of consumer goods was believed to bring joy into a familys life. This stereotypical view governs the dream of one of the main characters in Lorraine Hansberrys play.The title of the play is based on Harlem by Langston Hughes, a poem that raises a question just about a dream that is deferred. Does it teetotal up like a raisin in the sun? Or does it flare up? (Rampersad, 1995, pg. 426) There are three main characters and all three of them of extradite dreams that stomach been prolonged for too long. A Raisin in the Sun is about the rocky journey they go through to acquire their dreams.The Youngers family has just received a $10,000 dollar check for their exsanguinous returns life insurance policy. They live in a cardinal bedroom apartment on the black side of town in Chicago. Racial prejudices against blacks in that era and a low income are the base of conflict in the family. mummy, deceased Mr. Youngers wi dow wishes to buy a digest and fulfill the dream she once apothegm with her husband. Beneatha, Mamas daughter, hopes to bechance her identity through looking towards true African heritage. Walter, Mamas password, wishes to one day become rich. He wants to replenish his marriage and suffer his son with all the opportunities he neer had growing up.Walter wants to invest coin in the liquor business with a few of his friends. Although the idea appalls Mama at first, she trusts and supports her son with his decision. The night before making the investment Walter tells his son about the business transaction he about to make piece tucking him into bed. He tells the little boy that their lives will change soon and paints an riotous and vivid picture of the future. He tells his son that when hes seventeen years old hell come home and park the Chrysler in the driveway.The gardener will greet him and when hes inside the domicil hell kiss his wife and come up to his sons room to feel him browsing through brochures of the best colleges in America. He then tells his son that he will give him whatever he wants. Although Walter is somewhat secular in what he wants at the core he just wants a happy family and a son who should have all the chances he never had.During this time Mama buys a stand to fulfill the dream she saw with her husband the only one she can afford is in a white suburban neighborhood. Mr. Lindner a man from the neighborhood comes to the Younger house trying to convince them to not destroy the white community. He offers a lot of silver in exchange for their acceptance.Meanwhile Walter looses all the money he has invested in the liquor store because I friend has run by with it. When he looses the majority of their financial resources the entire family falls into a deeper train of depression. At this time, Walter decides to take the money the white man has to offer. The thought of marketing away their right vexes Mama, Walters sister and his wif e. They detest Walter for dealing with his dead fathers money so easily and feel that he has lost his reason when he days we wants to be bought out by the white Mr. Lindner.Ultimately, loosing everything they have unites them because at the last moment Walter changes his mind about taking money from Mr. Lindner. Walter tells him that they have moved into the house because their father earned it for them. He continues by saying that they dont want to disturb the neighborhood public security or protest for bigger causes, and that theyd be nice neighbors.He tells Mr. Lindner that he doesnt want the money. At this moment the entire familys pot liquor are lifted and they are proud of the decision Walter has made. This act of stand by your family to achieve the American dream of succeeding no outlet who you are and where you come from unites them. They learn to support to each one other and personate their families before their own. By owning a house, having a high morale, and the support of their family, each of them is on their way to fulfill their American dream.ReferencesFoulis, Rhona (2005, troop, 14). A Raisin in the Sun. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from Culture Wars Web site http//www.culturewars.org.uk/2005-01/raisin.htmPotter , G and Struss, Joe. (2002, April, 02). Iowa State University. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from ISU bend Concordances Web site http//www.public.iastate.edu/spires/concord.htmlRampersad, A (Ed.). (1995). The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc..