A Raisin In The Sun Analytical Essay

How desperate can one be for a dream? That question is answered in the touching play A Raisin In the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry. This story takes place in Chicago during the early to mid-1900s in a small apartment complex containing a large family. Clearly, the characters in this play have a deep desire to achieve their unachieved dreams.
One character who feels this need is Beneatha. Her dream is to “be a doctor” and “to go to Africa” with Asagai (Hansberry 148). This is a dream she has had since childhood that she is unable to achieve by the last page of the book. Because it is unachieved she is desperate to get her goal. She is so desperate that when it seems that her dream is out of reach all she can do is not care. When asked if she had given up on caring about her dream after Walter gave up the money she says “Yes, I think so” (133). She wants it so badly, it causes her to feel the only way that she can deal with the pain is not to care anymore. Clearly, Beneatha is desperately in pursuit of her dream.

Ruth’s dream, though, is to get out of the “rat-trap” apartment they are in and own their own home. When Mama says that she went out and bought a house, Ruth hollers “PRAISE GOD!”(91) She is beyond joyous. This is what Ruth wants most of all. Although this dream may seem achieved, we never know if the Younger’s ever reached their new house and if they were able to pay and rent or if they were kicked out. Ruth wants this dream so badly she says, “I’ll work twenty hours a day in all the kitchens in Chicago. I’ll strap my baby on my back if I have to” (140). She is beyond turning back on this dream. To her, this dream coming true is all, that matter not. It is clear that Ruth feels the need acquire this