A Raisin In The Sun American Dream

The title A Raisin in the Sun comes from a poem by Langston Hughes. The poem is about a dream or in this case the “American Dream” and it asking questions like what is going to happen when this dream dies out? Or if we have a dream will it backfire on us? In the play, the characters are all trying to pursue the “American Dream”, but are becoming “dried up” by poverty, family tension, and racism.

The first aspect of the “American Dream” is freedom. When you hear about the “American Dream” you will hear a lot about freedom, like freedom of speech and the free choice to choose on what you want to do with your life. The character that best fits the “American Dream” of freedom is Beneatha. She is someone who doesn't take no for an answer about what she wants to do with her life and she is a strong willed, that is not going to let people take away her freedom and tell her what to do with it. Some examples are when Beneatha wants to talk things out with George Murchison on what the future is going to be or not

to be. Another example is when Beneatha is with Asagai she feel free and not like he is trying to control her. The last example is when her, mama and ruth are arguing about that Beneatha isn't going to marry someone else and she should just stick with George.

“Get over it? What are you talking about, Ruth? Listen, I’m going to be a doctor. I’m not worried about who I’m going to marry yet – if I ever get married.” Beneatha (1.1.268)

Status is the second aspect of the “American Dream” because of status means you have and if you have money that also means that you're well respected. The character that best fits the “American Dream” is George Murchison. He is rich because of his family so he has a status and everyone knows about him. George doesn't even care about family or what people think when he is out of school, he is to become the CEO of his family's company. He doesn't even really care about Beneatha he just likes her for her looks and he just thinks that she is pretty enough to keep up his status.

"It's simple.

You read books—to learn facts—to get grades—to pass the course—to get a degree. That's all—it has nothing to do with thoughts." George Murchison

The final aspect is security of the “American dream”. Security is wanting to be safe and living in good conditions like a new home also security is stability, it's like a nail holding up a picture on the wall. The character that best fits the “American Dream” is Mama. Mama wants a new home so everyone is not so cramped up inside and so travis has somewhere to play. Mama is also the stability in the family she hold everyone together in times of need or in confusion. Mama also puts people in check when they out of line.

“Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody? Well then, you ain't through learning - because that ain't the time at all. It's when he's at his lowest and can't believe in himself 'cause the world done whipped him

so!”