The African-American Dream

A Raisin in the Sun is a play written by an African-American, Lorraine Hansberry. The play debuted on Broadway in 1959. Set in South side Chicago, Hansberry portrays an African-American family, the Youngers: Lena Younger (Mama), Ruth Younger (daughter), Walter Lee Younger (son), his wife Beneatha Younger and their son Travis Younger. The family suddenly gains $10,000 due to the life insurance money from the father’s death. Each character has their own dream of a better life and how to use the money to pursue that dream. The play is not all about the life of an African-American, but specifically on how they live in a society full of racism while trying to achieve the American Dream. A Raisin in the Sun emphasizes the American Dream versus the

Mama only dreams for a decent and a bit bigger house for her family. “Mama 's American dream for peace in the North is compromised by the rampant segregation that her family faces in being compelled not to buy a house from the white neighborhood of the Clybourne Park” (M’Baye). Mama considers having a new house with a garden and yard so her family can unite. Shortly after, a person named Karl Linder, a white spokesperson, tries to talk them out of the neighborhood. There has never been any blacks living in the subdivision and therefore Linder warns the family that if they stay there, there might be rebels in the area to throw them out of the neighborhood. This shows one of the consequences and obstacles that prevents the Younger family to achieve the American Dream. Linder also makes a deal with the Younger family to move by paying them with money. Although, by not taking the money does not mean, in Mama’s viewpoint, “…we wasn 't fit to walk the earth” (Hansberry 143). Linder’s purpose of paying them money makes him low-key. He thinks that the Younger family will take the money because of their social status. Seemingly, the quote shows that the Younger family are satisfied in a middle class life. This shows even more, how difficult it is for the African-American to achieve their ambitions or dreams. Thus, a dream deferred as well as struggles in life. In the end, Mama does achieve owning a house in a White community. Mama has been denied many things in life and she feels like the house is something she can pass on to later generations and thinks that “…God didn 't see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams - but He did give us children to make them dreams seem worthwhile” (Hansberry, Pg. 46). The quote suggests that Mama buys the house believing it is a chance toward an ideal dream for her children and future generations. She also believes that her own dream could lead other