Comparing The American Dream In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

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What is the furthest that money has driven you? Has it made you insane? Forgotten about those who were with you all the while? Walter Lee Younger, a defiant, selfish, dreamer, who does not feel validated, wants a better world for his family. In A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, Walter and his family all have dreams. These visions are overshadowed by racism, pride, and support from their family. What is the american dream? The play Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry takes place in a Chicago ghetto, the american dream being deffered here then compared to a white household. Being the early 1950’s, africans and caucasians still lived mostly segregated lives from themselves. Separate washrooms, eateries, etc. The Youngers live in a described as run down apartment, sharing one washroom with everyone on their floor. 5 people inhabit their apartment. His mother Lena, himself Walter, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, and his son Travis. Walter does not want to live in that current situation anymore. He wants a life for his son and family. …show more content…

Working as a chauffeur, he does not make a lot of money nor does he enjoy himself. He states how his hands were not made to be waited on. His character changes from someone who cares to someone who only cares about money. Being african american during this time period is still bad. Blacks are not treated equally still, people are still prejudice, a neighborhood committee member Mr. Lindner even ask the Youngers if the neighborhood can buy the house back so that no colored people live in it. All of these, plus having dreams changes his attitude to only caring about money. Walter has good reason for doing it though, he cares about his

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