Dreams are a powerful driving force in Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.” Each character in the play holds onto their own vision of a better future, which ultimately shapes their identities and relationships. The dreams of the Younger family are deeply intertwined with their struggles against racism, economic hardship, and personal desires. In this essay, we’ll dive into how each character’s dreams reflect their hopes and challenges, highlighting what these aspirations reveal about them and the society they inhabit.
Walter Lee Younger: The Dreamer of Prosperity
Let’s start with Walter Lee Younger, the quintessential dreamer whose aspirations revolve around financial success. Walter envisions investing in a liquor store as a way to escape his current job as a chauffeur and secure a better life for his family. This desire is not merely about wealth; it symbolizes his yearning for respect and validation as a man. Walter often feels trapped by societal expectations and economic limitations, which fuels his desperation to achieve something greater.
His frustration manifests itself in heated arguments with other family members who don’t share his vision. For instance, when Ruth expresses her weariness about money issues, he snaps back with anger—showing that he perceives her lack of enthusiasm for his plan as an attack on his masculinity. Ultimately, Walter’s dream leads him down a rocky path filled with moral dilemmas; he faces the choice between quick money through dubious means or staying true to his values.
Beneatha Younger: Searching for Identity
Next up is Beneatha Younger, Walter’s sister whose dreams take on an intellectual and spiritual dimension. While she desires to become a doctor—a profession dominated by white men at the time—her ambitions also reflect her struggle for identity within her African American heritage. Beneatha seeks to explore different aspects of culture, which leads her to question traditional beliefs held by her family.
Her quest is fraught with tension; she experiences conflict with Walter over financial priorities but also has disagreements with Mama regarding cultural roots versus modern aspirations. Beneatha’s journey represents not only personal ambition but also generational clashes within African American communities during the 1950s. Her rejection of conventional gender roles highlights another layer of societal pressure that women face while pursuing their dreams.
Lena Younger (Mama): The Matriarch’s Legacy
Mama Lena Younger embodies dreams rooted in stability and familial love rather than individual ambition or material wealth. Her primary aspiration is to buy a house for her family—a dream that symbolizes security and legacy rather than mere possession. Mama values home ownership as an opportunity for her children to escape systemic poverty while honoring their past.
This connection to home reflects Mama’s deep-seated belief in nurturing one’s roots despite external challenges like racism or economic hardship. She often acts as the emotional anchor within the family dynamics, emphasizing love over material gain when conflicts arise among her children about how to use the insurance money from her deceased husband.
Ruth Younger: The Silent Resilience
Then there’s Ruth Younger—the often-overlooked member of the household whose dreams appear muted compared to those around her but are equally significant nonetheless. While she initially seems consumed by daily struggles such as keeping up with bills or dealing with marital strife from Walter’s frustrations, Ruth harbors desires beyond mere survival; she longs for peace and emotional security within her chaotic environment.
Ruth’s dream materializes most poignantly through subtle actions—like considering abortion after discovering she’s pregnant again—not out of selfishness but from feeling overwhelmed by life’s pressures without adequate support from Walter or anyone else around her. This aspect of Ruth reveals deep layers concerning motherhood and sacrifice, ultimately contributing significantly to discussions surrounding women’s roles during this era.
The Broader Implications: Dreams Deferred
Together these characters’ narratives paint a broader picture illustrating how societal structures limit individual aspirations while showcasing resilience amid adversity—and yet they can inspire hope simultaneously! The titular question posed by Langston Hughes’ poem “What happens to a dream deferred?” resonates throughout “A Raisin in the Sun,” culminating in pivotal moments where dreams either thrive or face harsh realities due primarily stemming from socio-economic constraints placed upon families like theirs living under systemic oppression.
A Final Reflection
The interplay between these characters highlights how diverse interpretations of “the American Dream” exist even within one family unit shaped by race relations prevalent during mid-20th-century America—prompting audiences today still grappled between ambition & self-realization amidst external pressures fighting against achieving happiness itself! Hansberry successfully crafts each character’s journey intricately woven together through shared trials yet distinctly marked separate paths revealing complex human experiences navigating life aspiring fulfillment amidst trials faced head-on every day!
- Hansberry, Lorraine. “A Raisin in the Sun.” Vintage Books, 2004.
- Baker, Houston A., Jr., et al., eds., “The Anthology of Modern American Drama.” Oxford University Press , 2013.
- Sewell Jr., James H., “Dreams Deferred: A Study Guide.” Theatre Arts Publications , 2015.
- Coleman-Miller,Lisa G., “The Impact Of Racism And Socioeconomic Status On African-American Families.” Journal Of Family Issues , vol .28 no .10 (2007): pp .1386-1407 .
- Papke,Rosetta E., “Women In Lorraine Hansberry’s Plays.” Women In Literature: Reading Through The Lens Of Gender , Greenhaven Press , 2001 .
