Introduction
Dreams can be a double-edged sword because they have a special ability to make people happy and inspired, and at the same time lead to complete frustration and despair. Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun and the context provide a unique insight into this phenomenon. It is set in South Side Chicago, where the author discusses a Black Middle-class family during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The name of the play is derived from a famous poem by Langston Hughes, titled Harlem, which explores the theme of the power of dreams to influence a person’s condition and how the failure to fulfill positive dreams can exacerbate it.
Dreams are a mystical component of human life that has a profound impact, difficult to put into words. Often, through them, individuals manifest their innermost desires. In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, dreams serve as a central motif, intricately woven into the tapestry of the play’s characters and themes. Through the various pursuits of their own versions of the American Dream, the play’s protagonists grapple with the consequences of both realizing and delaying their aspirations, as well as the bleak landscape that awaits those who have ceased to dream altogether. Hansberry illuminates the multifaceted implications of fulfilling, deferring, or surrendering to one’s dreams in A Raisin in the Sun, a story about three members of the Younger family whose desires have become decisive in their intentions.
Dream Fulfilled- Mama (Lena Younger)
Her main dream after her husband’s death was to build a new house for the whole family. She wanted to fulfill her husband’s wish and preserve her family’s pride, unity, and provide protection for her children. The flower she takes care of symbolizes her fight against racism and economic strains. In the words “Lord, if this little old plant doesn’t get more sun than it’s been getting, it ain’t never going to see spring again” there is a call to break down barriers and desire in the fight against faced issues (Hansberry 21). The fulfilled dream of Mama symbolizes her perseverance and faith in her children, but it also represents the struggles the family faced to reach a point of unity.
For the Younger family, whose cramped and dilapidated living conditions reflect the economic obstacles they face in achieving their dreams, a “dream fulfilled” represents the ultimate triumph over adversity. When Mama receives a check for $10,000 as a result of her husband’s death, the family’s hopes are rekindled, and they begin to envision a brighter future. Beneatha, Mama’s daughter, uses the money to fund her medical school tuition, while Walter, Mama’s son, invests in a liquor store with his friends (Hansberry 18).
Mama was not very keen on this idea as she stated that “but whether I go into business selling it to ’em is, and I don’t want that on my ledger this late in life” (Hansberry 20). However, after going through it, their success comes at a steep price, as the liquor store deal falls through and Walter’s investment is lost, threatening to undo all the progress they had made. Despite this setback, the family perseveres, reaffirming the importance of dreams as a source of motivation and resilience.
Dream Deferred- Walter and Beneatha
Throughout the play, Walter and Beneatha opposed the use of the insurance money. This is because Walter wants to invest in a liquor store, and Beneatha wants to attend medical school. Walter thinks money is life. He disregards Beneatha’s educational pursuit and states, “Who the hell told you had to be a doctor? If you so crazy ’bout messing ’round with sick people—then go be a nurse like other women—or just get married and be quiet” (Hansberry 20). Therefore, he decides to invest the money in a liquor store instead.
After finding out that Walter has lost the money, Beneatha loses hope in the world. This event caused significant tension between the two characters, as Beneatha says, “there is nothing left to love [in Walter]” (Hansberry 31). Deferred dreams lead to disappointment, family conflicts, and the disillusionment of the American dream.
Conversely, a “dream deferred” is portrayed as a soul-crushing experience, as the characters are forced to confront the reality that their aspirations may never be realized. Beneatha’s relationship with her Nigerian suitor, Asagai, exemplifies this theme. Although Asagai encourages Beneatha to embrace her African heritage and dreams of returning to Nigeria to fight for social justice, Beneatha ultimately decides to assimilate into American culture, forsaking her dreams in favor of conformity. This sacrifice is not without consequence, however, as Beneatha feels a sense of emptiness and loss, highlighting the high cost of surrendering one’s dreams.
Deferred dreams, however, are like the dimmed flame of a candle. While the dream seems distant and fantastical, there is always a possibility of rekindling it. As seen in Beneatha in Act III, she initially loses hope in humanity but regains her motivation when she decides to move to Nigeria with Asagai.
Dream Surrendered- Mrs. Johnson
Finally, the play depicts the despair and desolation that come with “living without dreams.” Lena’s neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, serves as a cautionary tale, as she embodies the bleak existence that awaits those who have given up on their aspirations. Mrs. Johnson is bitter and cynical, lamenting the state of the world and the futility of hope. She makes biting remarks, “sometimes she acts like ain’t got time to pass the time of day with nobody ain’t been to college” or “you sure one proud-acting bunch of colored folks” (Hansberry 65). In contrast to the Youngers, who persevere in the face of adversity, Mrs. Johnson has resigned herself to a life without purpose or meaning, emphasizing the importance of holding onto one’s dreams, regardless of how challenging the circumstances may be.
Conclusion
In summary, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry employs the theme of dreams to examine the outcomes of pursuing or postponing one’s ambitions, as well as the grim reality faced by those who abandon their dreams entirely. Through the struggles and triumphs of the Younger family and their neighbors, the play offers a poignant and resonant reflection on the importance of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Work Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021.