Comparing The American Dream In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

The idea of the American dream is still true today, even if it included wealth, love, or fame. The quality that never changes the concept of the American dream is that everyone deserves something in life, and should strain themselves to get it. Everyone in America lusts after financial success in his or her lives, who wouldn’t? Becoming wealthy enough to afford anything in America is everybody's aspiration in life. But it is not that easy. In the play “A Raisin in the Sun”, the author portrays an impoverished African-American family living in Chicago during the 1950’s. Struggling to make financial problems stable, and pursuing the American dream, the author also shows how the Younger family desires are affected by race, discrimination, and

Walter Lee Younger shows that he is a dissatisfied character in the play and portrays himself as an obstacle towards his own dreams. But this is caused by the many trust issues that Walter has gained by his mother Lena Younger. In early scenes of the play, Walter seems to show his enthusiasm towards a $10,000 life insurance check that he plans on investing in a liquor store with his “buddy,” Willy. Even though Walter thought this was the best decision for everybody else, the family thinks differently and warns Walter against investing in the liquor store. To make a truce with her son, Mama gives Walter $6,500 from the insurance money. But this amount of money did last long in the hands of Walter Younger. In scene three, a mutual friend of Walter’s whose name is Bobo confronts Walter stating that “Willy and I were supposed to go to Springfield to spread some money towards the liquor store...Willy never showed up to Springfield… That was all the extra money I had left in the world.” Startled by the news, Walter has no words.What does he tell his mother? How will Lena Younger be able to afford the new house she purchased in Clybourne Park? How will Ruth, his wife, take care of the new coming baby? Walter’s actions prove that his identity of being persistent and stubborn puts his family in a financial crisis and decreases the chance of becoming successful. The risks of being