Social Idealism In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

Social idealism and moral obligations Idealism states that ideas and thoughts of a mind or minds constitute the fundamental nature of all reality. Social idealism is the commitment to a better society which is usually tied with individual moral obligations. Although social idealism leads people to commit to creating a better society, not every individual feels morally obliged to better the society and what people idealized as a better society is not a realistically better society. Idealists want justice, fairness, prosperity, peace, and happiness for everyone. Idealists want to change the way the world works so that everyone has an ideal life. Then under normal circumstances, idealist become realistic; not all people feel their ideals can be accomplished in the same way, and that many people will exploit others if they can.

On the other hand, not all people have the same ambition to improve society. For instance, Walter Lee, who is Beneatha’s brother, opposes the idea of social idealism since he does not have the same drive as Beneatha to benefit the society. Beneatha had always broached her personal aspiration of becoming a doctor on her hopes for a more just and compassionate society. Her idealism to become a doctor in Africa seems to create an obligation create a better society. Even so, we see that Walter Lee Young on the other extreme. His social idealism is to be successful and get his family out of their distress didn't morally obliged him to consider the betterment of the society. Unlike Beneatha, Walter shows opposing character when he wants to use the money to become successful even though his definition of success has nothing to do with the society. It is clear that if social idealism lead people to be morally obliged to create a better society, Walter would have chosen the money to be used to educate Beneatha to become a doctor rather than open a liquor