A Raisin in the Sun

David Morales

Professor M. Jones

English 1B

07/08/16

Dreams and Nightmares

A Raisin in The Sun is a play that changed the direction of plays completely. At its time, it was the only play that explored the tension between white and black society. It demonstrates ways in which the black community reacted against an oppressive white community. A Raisin in the Sun describes essential dreams, as the main characters struggle to deal with the depressing circumstances that rule their lives. The play acknowledges the dreams of those who come from minority backgrounds and their struggle to find those dreams. Hansberry is able to show its audience that the most important thing is a united family, and that there is nothing more important than having a home with a united family. Throughout the play, Hansberry demonstrates the oppressive road that the Younger family has to take in order to reach their dreams that at some point become nightmares.

There were many factors that tied in with the reason for the family's struggle to reach their dreams. People’s idealism about materialist dreams made it very difficult for the Younger family to prosper. Hansberry’s play focuses on the dreams driving and motivating. These dreams function in positive ways, by freeing their mentality from their rough lifestyle, and in negative ways, by creating in them even more dissatisfaction with their present situations. Even more, the negative dreams originate from putting all the emphasis and determination on achieving materialistic goals. The quote, “Mama: Oh—So now it’s life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it’s money. I guess the world really do change . . “ (Hansberry) demonstrates how mama is questioning whether her family's happiness depended on their social statu. She realizes that her family had became attained to a materialistic mentality whose main goal had became money. In contrast, Hansberry goes on to argue that as long as people attempt to do their best for their families, they can lift each other up and prosper.

Hansberry is also able to show the difficulty that a family of color has to face because of the color of their skin. In the plot, there are multiple characters who show this racial discrimination. An example of this is when Mr. Lindner makes the theme of racial discrimination prominent in the plot as an issue that the Youngers cannot avoid. At some point, the Younger family thought that moving into a better home would help them become a better family. The discrimination takes place when all three of the governing body of the Youngers’ new neighborhood, the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, sends Mr. Lindner to persuade them not to move into the all-white Clybourne Park neighborhood. Mr. Lindner and the people he represents were ignorant enough to only be able to see the color of the Younger family’s skin. This then allowed him to bribe the Youngers. They threaten to tear apart the Younger family and the values for which it stands. Thankfully, the Younger family responded to the discrimination with pure strength. The play eagerly demonstrates that the best way to fight against discrimination is to stand up against it by reasserting one’s dignity in the face of it rather than allow it to become content.

Hansberry’s drama asks difficult questions about assimilation and identity. Through the character of Joseph Asagai, Hansberry reveals a trend toward celebrating African heritage. As he calls for a native revolt in his homeland, she seems to predict the anticolonial struggles in African countries of the upcoming decades, as well as the inevitability and necessity of integration.