A Raisin in the Sun: Compare and Contrast Essays

The American dream means something different to each character in A Raisin in the Sun. Discuss these differences and how they conflict with one another.

The American dream refers to the perception that each person, regardless of their racial ethnicity or the social class has an equal opportunity to achieve their version of prosperity in the society. Nonetheless, the dream can be achieved through hard work and sacrifice but not by chance. Throughout the play, it is evident that each character has their version of the American dream since everyone is striving to achieve their version of prosperity (Hansberry, "A Raisin In The Sun"). For instance, we find that Walter Lee, the protagonists in the play has the dream to become wealthy. Walter devises various plans to achieve the dream, and at the beginning of the play, he has the idea to use his father's insurance money to open a liquor store. Another character is Beneatha, Walter's sister has the dream to become a doctor and a recognized educated black woman. As a way to achieve this, she joins college to acquire the relevant education despite a conflicting opinion from her mother, Lena. On the other hand, Lena has the dream to acquire a higher social status for the family, and this reason seeks to use her husband insurance money as a down payment to acquire a house that has a backyard for the family. It is evident that Walter's and Lena's dream also conflict since Lena thinks that Walter has already attained the American dream by having a job, a wife, and a family. However, Walter feels that it is not the case, only money can fulfill his realization of the American dream. Ruth, Walter's wife, is another character who strives to achieve her dream of having a peaceful and happy marriage full of love. Her marriage is filled with domestic trouble and poverty. Despite these challenges, Ruth strives to be a strong woman with the dream that they will rekindle their love.

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Lorraine Hansberry is often viewed as a visionary because of her ability to predict many of the relevant issues to the African-American community today. Identify some of these issues and explain how they are the same or different from how Hansberry portrayed them.

Lorraine Hansberry brings some of the issues into the limelight that is similar to the current issues facing the African and Americans. For instance, the play depicts the issues of racism, discrimination, and racial segregation which are prevalent issues among the American population today. Mr. Karl Lindner, a white character in the play is significant in bringing these issues into the limelight. When Lena losses her husband, she expects a $10,000 compensation check from the insurance. She intends to use his money to acquire a big house for the family. She makes a down payment to purchase the house in a white neighborhood (Hansberry, "A Raisin In The Sun"). Nonetheless, the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, which is the governing body in Lena's family new expected neighborhood, uses Mr. Lindner to deter them from moving to the area. Mr. Lindner goes ahead to persuade he family to reconsider moving into the Clybourne Park white neighborhood. Despite the feeling of discrimination, Lena and the family respond strongly and do not review the offer.

The case scenario is a clear indication that segregation existed among the racial groups in the United States. The mention of the white neighborhood indicates that the people where segregated such that the whites live in their areas while the people of color lived in separate areas. This issue is also a prevalent problem among the American population today, but, the case of segregation is not as intense as it was a few decades before. The aspect of racial discrimination is also evident when Mr. Lindner and the Clybourne Park Improvement Association intend to deter Lena's family from moving into the neighborhood. It is evident that the reason driving the idea is the fact that they are Black. Lorraine thus magnifies the idea that the Blacks still fight to attain the American dream.

Work Cited

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin In The Sun. Everbind Anthologies, 2003.