A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that tells the story of an African-American family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. The play was groundbreaking for its time, depicting a black family striving to fulfill the American Dream. A Raisin in the Sun is still relevant today, as it speaks to the universal human experience of chasing after our dreams.
It’s safe to say that everyone in the United States wants to be financially successful at some point in their lives. Living under a capitalist system may cause many people to become overly materialistic. The American Dream is the term used to describe this idealized status for most Americans. It’s difficult for most Americans to attain this high standing.
In A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry, the Younger family struggles with poverty and racial discrimination while still trying to maintain their dignity. Although they experience many challenges throughout the play, the Youngers refuse to lose hope because they know that eventually their American Dream will come true.
The American Dream is something that has been talked about for centuries. It is often thought of as a materialistic goal, but it can also be seen as simply achieving success. In A Raisin in the Sun, the Younger family is very poor and they live in a small, cramped apartment. Their father has recently died and they are waiting for his life insurance money to come in so they can finally start living their lives the way they want to.
The family is hopeful that the money will help them move out of their current situation and into a better neighborhood. They are also hoping to start their own businesses. However, they are met with many challenges along the way.
Racial discrimination is a big issue in the play. The Youngers are African American and they live in a time when there is a lot of tension between whites and blacks. Many blacks are treated unfairly and they do not have the same opportunities as whites.
The Youngers deal with this by staying positive and refusing to give up on their dreams. They know that eventually they will be able to achieve what they want, regardless of the obstacles they face.
The American Dream is something that is difficult to achieve, but it is possible. The Younger family is a perfect example of this. They go through many hardships, but they never lose hope. In the end, they are able to achieve their dreams and they prove that the American Dream is attainable.
A Raisin in the Sun (written by Lorraine Hansberry) explores an African-American family’s attempt to break free of poverty and achieve financial stability, or the American Dream. This relates to Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun because Mama, Walter, Ruth, and Beneatha all dreamed of their own.
A dream that was put on hold because of the color of their skin. Which ultimately lead to them being discriminated against, and not being able to have equality. Hansberry uses A Raisin in the Sun to shed some light into what it was (and still is) like for an African-American family during that time period, as well as now. It also allows readers/viewers to see how important dreams are, and how they should never be put on hold no matter what the circumstance may be.
When looking at A Raisin in the Sun, it’s important to note that Lorraine Hansberry was one of the first female African-American playwrights, as well as one of the first to have a play produced on Broadway. A Raisin in the Sun was actually based off of her own family’s experience with housing discrimination in Chicago. Which is something that a lot of African-American families went (and still go) through.
Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun has been praised for its realistic portrayal of an African-American family, as well as its exploration of the American Dream. The play has been adapted into a film (starring Sidney Poitier) and a television movie (starring Ruby Dee). It has also been the basis for several songs, including “Raisin in the Sun” by Lesley Gore and “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke.
In a way, all four of these people are working toward the same goal. Mama is Beneatha’s mother and Walter and Lena Younger’s wife. Mama is devout, moral, and maternal, and she desires to use her husband’s insurance money as a down payment on a house with a backyard so that her family may improve economically. She also wanted a garden like she had seen in the past at the back of the homes down home, according to the story “Well,” says Mama.”
This is a prime example of what the American dream meant to people at that time, being able to own your own home. Her son Walter wants to use the money for different reasons. He wants to invest in a liquor store with his friend Bobo. Walter Younger is an aggressive man who is always looking for an opportunity to make some quick money.
In his mind, this is the answer to all of his problems. Mama does not think that this is a good idea because it goes against her religious beliefs. However, she eventually agrees to give him the money after much convincing from her son.
Beneatha, Lena’s daughter, is going to school to become a doctor. She is very intelligent and has high aspirations. Beneatha is also very headstrong and outspoken. She is not afraid to voice her opinions, even if they are controversial. Beneatha wants to use the money to help pay for her medical school tuition.
Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun is a play that tells the story of the Younger family and their quest to achieve the American dream. The play is set in the 1950s, during a time when segregation was still legal in many parts of the United States. The Younger family is African American, and they live in a small apartment on the South Side of Chicago.
The play follows the family as they try to figure out what to do with an insurance check that they receive after the death of Lena’s husband. Each family member has a different idea of what the money should be used for, and they all have different visions for their future.
In the end, the family decides to use the money to buy a house in a white neighborhood on the outskirts of Chicago. They are taking a risk by moving to this neighborhood, but they are hopeful that they will be able to achieve their dreams. The play ends with Mama saying, “We ain’t never been nothin’ but poor…but we stay human beings.” This is a powerful statement about the human spirit and the determination to succeed against all odds.
The American dream is still alive today, and people from all walks of life continue to strive for it. A Raisin in the Sun is a timeless story that speaks to the human condition. It is a story of hope, dreams, and determination.
