A Raisin in the Sun Essay The majority of families would do anything to keep each other safe, but there are other influential values in people's lives, such as freedom. Mencken disagrees, instead believing that the average man does not want to be free; he wants to be safe. His opinion on the value of safety is refuted by Lorraine Hansberry’s book, A Raisin in the Sun, in which the Younger family values their pride and freedom over their safety.
A Raisin in the Sun depicts the life of an African American family living in the 1950’s. The Younger family displays their pride when moving into their new home, ignoring the inherent dangers of moving into a white neighborhood, and do what is best for their family. Additionally, the Youngers even turn down an offer from Mr. Lindner, the representative of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, when Walter Younger says, “We are very proud people… And we have all thought about your offer… And we have decided to move into our house because my father - my father - he earned it for us” (148). The Youngers treasure the freedom to move into their new house because they are proud of their family and what they have accomplished; they disregard the fact that they would be discriminated against and threatened, …show more content…
She then explains the values that were upheld in the during these repugnant times by saying, “Once upon a time freedom used to be life - now it’s money. I guess the world really do change” (74). Mama’s idea of freedom and important values in their lives is something the Youngers struggle with throughout A Raisin in the Sun. The characters repeatedly return to this necessity for money and success instead of focusing on what they have achieved. As the characters progress, they come to the realization that freedom and pride are more important than safety and that risks are inevitable when living a fulfilling
A Raisin in the Sun depicts the life of an African American family living in the 1950’s. The Younger family displays their pride when moving into their new home, ignoring the inherent dangers of moving into a white neighborhood, and do what is best for their family. Additionally, the Youngers even turn down an offer from Mr. Lindner, the representative of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, when Walter Younger says, “We are very proud people… And we have all thought about your offer… And we have decided to move into our house because my father - my father - he earned it for us” (148). The Youngers treasure the freedom to move into their new house because they are proud of their family and what they have accomplished; they disregard the fact that they would be discriminated against and threatened, …show more content…
She then explains the values that were upheld in the during these repugnant times by saying, “Once upon a time freedom used to be life - now it’s money. I guess the world really do change” (74). Mama’s idea of freedom and important values in their lives is something the Youngers struggle with throughout A Raisin in the Sun. The characters repeatedly return to this necessity for money and success instead of focusing on what they have achieved. As the characters progress, they come to the realization that freedom and pride are more important than safety and that risks are inevitable when living a fulfilling