Dreams of a Family
Dreams of a Family In describing a play written by Lorraine Hansberry, Julius Lester once said, “A Raisin in the Sun is most definitely about “human dignity” because Lorraine Hansberry is concerned with the attitude we must have towards material things if we are to be their master and not their slave” (LW, 2058). ... She recounts the nightmares of growing up poor and records them in A Raisin in the Sun, an epic story of the Younger family struggling to realize the dream of escaping into a rich white life. Mama, Walter, Ruth, Travis, and Beneatha are each driven by their dreams. ... But when one family members dreams begin to clash with the dreams of another, they all become “mindless consumers like the majority of whites” (LW, 2058). ... Dreaming of a better life, he follows a foolish get-rich scheme, investing the family insurance money in a business venture against his mother’s wishes. ... A few days later, Mama announces to the family that she has purchased a house located in “Four o six Clybourne Park. ... ” (LW, 1802) The entire family is ecstatic about the situation. ... You the head of this family. ... So you butchered up a dream of mine - you - who always talking ‘bout your children’s dreams (LW, 1803) Walter’s greedy need for a portion of the life insurance money whirls up a tornado of conflict between Walter and the rest of his family, especially Mama. Walter’s dream is shattered by his own mother’s dreams, and no one seems to take notice. ... Beneatha’s dreams are put on hold as Walter has made yet another terrible choice. ... brought him dangerously close to destroying his family and himself” (LW, 2059) Walter’s need for money, Mama’s hopes of buying a new home, and Beneatha’s aspirations to become a doctor all got in the way of what was really important. ... They were all blinded by material things; they were too blind to see that family was actually the most important thing.