A Raisin in the Sun & the American Dream

The American ambitiousness 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 trance of one of the main char fiddleers in Lorraine Hansberrys play.The title of the play is based on Harlem by Langston Hughes, a poem that raises a question about a dream that is deferred. Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or does it explode? (Rampersad, 1995, pg. 426) There are tercet main characters and each three of them of have dreams that have been prolonged for too long. A Raisin in the Sun is about the rocky go they go through to acquire their dreams.The Youngers family has just received a $10,000 dollar take in for their dead pay offs life insurance policy. They live in a two bedroom apartment on the black side of town in Chicago. Racial prejudices against blacks in that era and a low in inject are the root of conflict in the family.Mama, deceased Mr. Youngers widow wishes to buy a hearthstone and fulfill the dream she once saw with her economise. Beneatha, Mamas daughter, hopes to find her identity through tone towards true African heritage. Walter, Mamas watchword, wishes to one day become rich. He wants to replenish his union and provide his son with all the opportunities he never had growing up.Walter wants to invest money in the pot 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 reservation the investment Walter tells his son about the business transaction he about to make while tucking him into bed. He tells the little boy that their lives will change soon and paints an elaborate 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 house hell kiss his married wo serviceman and come up to his sons room to see h im browsing through brochures of the best colleges in America. He consequently tells his son that he will give him whatever he wants. Although Walter is somewhat materialistic 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 house 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 money in exchange for their acceptance.Meanwhile Walter looses all the money he has invested in the liquor warehousing because I friend has run away with it. When he looses the majority of their financial resources the entire family falls into a deeper level of depression. At this time, Walter decides to take the money the white man has to offer. The thought of selling away their respectable vexes Mama, Walter s sister and his wife. They detest Walter for dealing with his dead fathers money so easily and feel that he has lost his soul 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 slumber 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 spirits are lifted and they are proud of the decision Walter has made. This act of standing by your family to achieve the American dream of succeeding no matter who you are and where you come from unites them. They learn to support each other and put their families before their own. By owning a house, having a proud morale, and the support of their family, each of them is on their way to fulfill their American dream.ReferencesFoulis, Rhona (2005, March, 14). A Raisin in the Sun. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from purification 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 Play Concordances Web site http//www.public.iastate.edu/spires/concord.htmlRampersad, A (Ed.). (1995). The collected Poems of Langston Hughes. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc..