The American Dream as illustrated in "A Raisin in the Sun"
...on to bring independence and education to the people in his homeland, despite the obstacles which he must overcome, is indicative of this belief. He is one example of the dream's racially indiscriminate nature. Beneatha, in a narrative of her childhood, describes how she "never got over. . .what one person could do for another” (Hansberry 1033), and so aspires to become a doctor, in spite of the cultural and racial obstacles of her day. She demonstrates her beliefs in the nature of and her ability to fulfill her small dreams, such as horseback-riding, photography, guitar. The late Walter Sr. showed his belief in the "American Dream" through his hard work and responsibility. Not all of his dreams for the future came true, but he never stopped working or hoping, which is the essence of the "American Dream." He, through the responsibility of keeping a life insurance policy, was finally able to buy a house for his family. Lena, also referred to as "Mama," was very much encouraged and empowered by his example, and she refers to him as "a fine man," and explains that he "just couldn't never catch up with his dreams, that's all" (Hansberry 999). Mama uses his example as a model of what young Walter, in his vainglorious persecuted mentality, ought to be. She declares that she's "waiting to hear [Walter] talk like him. . .waiting to hear how [Walter] be [his] father's son" and she pleads with Walter to "be the man he was” (Hansberry 1011). In the first two acts, Walter does not believe the American dream. He claims that “[money] is life” (Hansberry 1010) and shows little concern for anything else. Walter does not acknowledge that freedom comes from the allowances of the government, and the opportunity it extends, but believes true freedom and true happiness come from wealth. Walter believes that for America to be as good as people claim, something good needs to be handed to him. He complains that his job, in fact, “ain’t no kind of job” (Hansberry 1010). In the few days that he has the insurance money available for investment, he dreams, so ridiculously it is almost comical, of the wealth and security it will bring. Walter believes, in his ignorance, that he doesn’t have the opportunity to succeed without something for nothing; and he fails to consider the opportunity afforded by American legislation, which permits him to try and gives him the potential to succeed. Instead, Walter is willing to gamble money that isn’t even his, and sacrifice his dignity for the sake of wealth. When Walter is most desperate he declares that he will get on his knees and proclaim that his family is a “bunch of stinking niggers” (Hansberry 1039) to Lindler, who is representative of the...