Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

Attaining a long-term goal of supporting one’s family and living a comfortable life is the overall American Dream. However, according to some contemporary writers, “... the American dream has been accessible only to a privileged few” (Werlock 1). In the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, the Youngers, an African American family living on the Southside of Chicago, all work towards acquiring their own goals in life. They each overcome barriers such as racism and sexism on the road to carrying out their dreams. No matter what hardships the Younger family has undergone, they prove that people of all backgrounds are capable of achieving the American Dream.
Because the Younger family has a lack of financial income, their path to a successful lifestyle is strenuous and hard fought. The Youngers have not received the same opportunities as other …show more content…
In the morning before school, Travis asks his mother if he can bag groceries to earn money for school, “...‘What is it [Travis] wants to do?’ ‘Go carry groceries after school at the supermarket.’ ‘Well, let him go…’ . . .‘I have to-she won't gimme the fifty cents…’” (Hansberry 817). Travis is aware his family cannot afford the fifty cents like other students at school, so he continuously asks his parents if he can bag groceries at the supermarket so he can earn the money. Travis understands his family does not live a lavish life, he can see through his mother, Ruth, that the family has a laborious time making money. When the Younger family is disputing how they will receive the money for the new house, Ruth explains, “... I’ll work twenty hours a day in all the kitchens in Chicago… I’ll strap my baby on my back if I have to and scrub all the floors in America and wash all the sheets in America if I have to-but we got to move… We got to get out of here… ” (Hansberry 859). Because the family struggles to obtain a steady income, Ruth offers to spend her