Beneatha's Dream In Langston Hughes A Raisin In The Sun

In Langston Hughes “Harlem” is a poem about what happens to a lost dream, which fits the theme of A Raisin in the Sun. In the poem he says, “Does it dry up/ Like a raisin in the sun?” This quote relates to Beneatha and her dream of becoming a doctor. Beneatha has overcome an incredible challenge. She is enrolled in college from a poor black family. Her dream of becoming a doctor was unheard of in this time. This dream has kept her going through all the hard times because she can see a future of bringing her family out of suffering and changing the course of their life. For some time Beneatha has been relying on the health care money to put her through college; when Walter loses it we can see her dream wither in her eyes, much like a raisin in the sun.

/ ‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard. / Don’t you fall now / For I’se still goin’, honey” The quote nearly identically matches everything Lena says to Walter to keep him going in tough times. When Walter is in his low valley’s, Lena always gave him speeches to get him back going again. She reminds him of the 5 generations of his family before him that had worked in fields all their lives, that he still has a family to care for, and that he still has opportunities in the world and should not let one negative thing get him down so much. She also mentions how much she and his father have suffered to get them where they stood, and that she was still