Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry describes a drama about an African American family, the Youngers, pursuing the American Dream. The American Dream is having freedom, having the ability to own a house, to have respect, and to support a family. This dream not only creates a problem and a struggle for this family, but opens up new windows and opportunities. This story takes place in the South side of Chicago in the 1950’s, in a cramped apartment building where a family of five lives. Lena is the Mama to Walter Lee Jr. and Beneatha, also she is the grandmother of Travis, and Ruth is her Walter’s wife. Walter thinks he knows what the American Dream is, but he does not, Mama does. Throughout this period of time the Younger family
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Walter says, “I got me a dream{...} I got to take hold of this here world, baby {...} I got to change my life, I’m choking to death, baby(1.1.83). Walter really struggles, he makes bad choices and is very addicted to alcohol solving his problems. Walter Lee would leave the house to go and drink and, Mama didn’t approve of this, saying, “It’s dangerous when a man goes outside his home to look for peace” (1.2.215-7). He had so much rage towards Mama, Beneatha, and Ruth. Ruth, his loving wife, never left his side and always supported him for everything, except for when he wanted to use his mother 's money to invest in a liquor store. Walter wants to be like a white man. He feels like he should not work for the whites as a chauffeur because it makes him feel like he has no control over what he does. He believes that if he owns a business like a white man he will gain respect. What he doesn’t understand is his Mama did not want to give him the money because she believes that her husband’s money was worth more than a liquor store. He should go down in honor and be respected for his hard work everyday. On the other hand Beneatha is not so supportive and loving towards her brother, she despised him. Beneatha hates him for giving her money away for her success, but the money really wasn’t even hers. Like his sister, he struggles with the same problem, the money really wasn’t his to spend and use. Walter learns that owning up to his mistakes and keeping his family together is more important than any amount of money. If he wants a liquor store he has to work for it, just like his father worked everyday to help support his
Walter says, “I got me a dream{...} I got to take hold of this here world, baby {...} I got to change my life, I’m choking to death, baby(1.1.83). Walter really struggles, he makes bad choices and is very addicted to alcohol solving his problems. Walter Lee would leave the house to go and drink and, Mama didn’t approve of this, saying, “It’s dangerous when a man goes outside his home to look for peace” (1.2.215-7). He had so much rage towards Mama, Beneatha, and Ruth. Ruth, his loving wife, never left his side and always supported him for everything, except for when he wanted to use his mother 's money to invest in a liquor store. Walter wants to be like a white man. He feels like he should not work for the whites as a chauffeur because it makes him feel like he has no control over what he does. He believes that if he owns a business like a white man he will gain respect. What he doesn’t understand is his Mama did not want to give him the money because she believes that her husband’s money was worth more than a liquor store. He should go down in honor and be respected for his hard work everyday. On the other hand Beneatha is not so supportive and loving towards her brother, she despised him. Beneatha hates him for giving her money away for her success, but the money really wasn’t even hers. Like his sister, he struggles with the same problem, the money really wasn’t his to spend and use. Walter learns that owning up to his mistakes and keeping his family together is more important than any amount of money. If he wants a liquor store he has to work for it, just like his father worked everyday to help support his