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A Raisin In The Sun American Dream Essay

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According to Habitat for Humanity, “Studies draw a straight line between the quality, location, and affordability of housing and a child’s ability to thrive.” Growing up in a nice home can have a big impact on a child. Travis's ability to grow up in a nice home will reflect on his future success. A Raisin in the Sun is a play written in 1959 by Lorraine Hansberry. The space spends a lot of time discussing the American Dream. The American Dream is the belief that through hard work and determination, anyone, regardless of social status, race, or religion, can achieve a better life. In A Raisin in the Sun, each character has their version of the American Dream. The play has a few main characters, including Benethea Younger, Ruth Younger, Lena …show more content…

People dislike thinking about having to buy a house or being afraid of not having a place to call home, so Travis already knowing he will get the house has to ease those fears. In the play, A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry says, “MAMA (Putting her finger on his nose for emphasis) She went out and she bought you a house! (The explosion comes from WALTER at the end of the revelation and he jumps up and turns away from all of them in a fury. MAMA continues, to TRAVIS) Are you glad about the house? It’s going to be yours when you get to be a man.” (Hansberry 91) In this scene from the play, Mama has just returned from a full day out and greets Travis by telling him she has bought him a house that he will inherit when he grows up. Hearing about the new house is very exciting because the Younger family's current living situation is not ideal. The perfect spot for a child to grow up is Clybourne Park, as it features a garden for Mama, a nice neighborhood, and a tidy …show more content…

An unhealthy and unclean outdoor environment is not conducive to a child's development. Rats have been currently living outside Travis's old house, which is unsanitary. Lorraine Hansberry says, “TRAVIS (Excited and full of narrative, coming directly to his mother) Mama, you should have seen the rat… Big as a cat, honest!” (Hansberry 59) In the scene, the family becomes very alarmed when Travis, who has just entered the house, mentions the enormous rat. There aren't any rats outside and the new house is environmentally cleaner. The rat outside causes the Younger family to realize that this is not the ideal place to raise a child, and they become very concerned about it. Travis and the Younger family will highly benefit from a clean environment at Clybourne Park. Living in a shameful environment is far from the American Dream that the Youngers want to achieve. In conclusion, Clybourne Park is a nice and clean neighborhood that is great for raising

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