Often, society gives up the wants of one individual person to benefit the group as a whole. A perfect example of this is in A Raisin in the Sun. In the play, Walter Lee sacrifices his idea of the American dream for the betterment of his family. Instead of selling his home to Mr. Lindner to gain money to start up a business, he declines the offer so his family can live in a good home and live out their American dream. Realizing that his family’s wants and needs as a whole are more important than his wants and needs, he sacrificed important things to make the whole happy. The house was the whole family’s American dream; coming to America means owning a home, having land, having a place to oneself. Mama says, “It makes a difference in a man
