Raisin In The Sun Aspiration

The Anatomy of Aspirations: How Dreams are Both Motivating and Divisive When people hear the word “dream”, many tend to think of an immaculate desire in the distant future looming over their heads and pushing them through life. However, some tend not to consider the idea that dreams in nature can be far from immaculate or perfect; they can break relationships apart. It's the nature of aspirations to conform to both of these notions. This idea has been explored and worked into many works of literature as a central conflict by numerous authors. One notable author, Lorraine Hansberry, worked these postulations into a story about the American Dream. In Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun, dreams are motivating in the way they encourage …show more content…
While this is not desired by Walter, Mama’s dream also motivates her to take the initiative to follow her own aspirations. Because of her dream, Mama goes and puts a down-payment on a house. When breaking the news, Mama, talking in third person, says: “She went out and bought you a house!” (Hansberry 91). The excitement portrayed in her words while she says this to her grandson Travis shows that her motivation to buy the house was fueled by her love for her family, specifically because she could have done many other things with the money she earned; Mama was toying with the idea of donating the money, while Ruth suggested that she go to Africa. And, because Mama followed her dream, the rest of the family was compelled to buy her gifts for her new house. In other words, Mama’s dream does not only motivate Mama herself, but the rest of the family to be generous as well. Even Walter was convinced to set aside his angst and pitch in with the gift. When giving it to her, Walter says: “Open it Mama, it’s for you. (MAMA looks in his eyes. It’s the first present in her life without its being Christmas.)” (Hansberry 123). This shows that although Mama’s dream caused Walter some self pity, it overall motivated the family to come together to show Mama kindness. However, Walter’s issue with Mama’s decision did initially put cracks in the relationship between him and his mother. When Walter first finds out about the down-payment on the house, he says to Mama: “So you butchered up a dream of mine- you- who always talking ‘bout your children’s dreams…” (Hansberry 95). Since Walter thinks that his dream was “butchered”, it shows a schism in his relationship with Mama. And even though it is at some juncture patched up later in the story, this discord was still prominent throughout two-thirds of the play. Although it is simply and briefly discussed in an article by critic Dawn B Sova, the writer supports the claim that Walter and