A Raisin In The Sun

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A Raisin in the Sun

African American author, named Lorraine Hansberry, authored a lay which was entitled as “A Raisin in the Sun." the play describes the aspirations of the younger family, who want to have a better life by achieving the American dream. The family lives in the south side of Chicago and plans to move into the white neighbourhood, to fulfill their dream of owning a big house. The cat one of the play presents a clear picture of the life circumstances, as well as the hopes and dreams and each and every member of the Youngers family. The play “A Raisin in the Sun” may have been an attempt by the author to shed light on the life circumstances of the African American community in the south side of Chicago during that era; however, it also gives the hope that constant effort and hard work can make the dreams true.

The sense of the Younger family which I got from the first act of the play is that each and every member of the family has a dream, and they are also dissatisfied with their current life, in one or the other way. Their only hope at the time is the check of ten thousand dollars, which is actually the insurance money of Walter and Beneatha's father, who has died recently. Although each member of the family has its own stress, however, the common stress of the family is to become successful in life. Mama, who is the head of the family stresses over not being able to provide a good home to the family. Walter stresses over establishing his business. Beneatha stresses over finding her true self and identity and not getting lost in the prominent white culture. Ruth, who is the wife of Walter, stresses over her husband’s lack of happiness and over being pregnant again, as she thinks one new member would add to the problems of the family (Hansberry, 20).

The thing which is challenging Walter Lee's self-respect is his lack of establishing a business and supporting his family. His self-respect is particularly challenged by the fact that he lost his share from the check to his partner, who deceived him. Every member of the family has his own dream. The dream of mama is establishing her own home, which has a bigger lawn, where her grandson can play. The dream of Walter is to establish his own business, so he does not have to continue his job as a chauffeur and is able to look after the needs of his family. Ruth’s dream is to see her husband successful and happy and reignite their love, which is losing between the struggles of the family. The dream of Beneatha is to find her real identity and not get overshadowed by the white culture and become a doctor as well. She wants to be an educated, independent African American woman (Hansberry, 5).

The connection of the play to Langston Hughes' poem "A Dream Deferred" is that the name of the play has been taken from the poem which also talks about the fulfillment of dreams. In addition to it, I envision the Younger's apartment on this morning in post-World War II era Chicago's South Side as well established home, where every individual is satisfied with his life and work and working hard to keep the family connected and happy.

The play by the African American author Lorraine Hansberry is the depiction of the struggle of an African American family to achieve their American dream. The family does not want to lose its identity by accepting the prominent white culture; however, wants to make its own identity and achieve the goal of a socially and economically progressive family.

Work Cited

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the sun. Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, 2007.