A Raisin in the Sun and the Dreams of Its Main Characters Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 1355 words ( 5 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 5

FILM -- "A RAISIN IN THE SUN" AND THE AMERICAN DREAM

Lena (Mama)

What is the dream?

Lena is the strong, traditional matriarch of the Younger family. Her dream is for her family: that they will be safe, emotionally and physically well, principled and happy.

Why does it matter to the character?

The dream matters to Lena because she lived through the difficult time in which many blacks left the South and moved North to make life better for themselves. At that point, they were concerned with more basic human needs like food, shelter, safety, employment and dignity. Consequently, she wants basic well-being for her family, even as they pursue dreams beyond hers.

What obstacles does it face?

Lena's dream faces internal family obstacles and external obstacles. The internal family obstacles include Walter Lee's consuming dream to be successful, his loss of 2/3 of her husband's life insurance proceeds through a foolish deal, Beneatha's sampling of many interests and disbelief in God, the tension between the two children and Ruth's regretful plan to have her expected child aborted. Lena's dream externally faces the problem of racial prejudice portrayed by Mr. Lindner, the white neighborhood representative who tries to stop the Younger family's planned move to a white neighborhood.

d. What is the status of the dream at the plays end?

Despite the many threats to Lena's dream, it is still intact by the play's end because Walter has reclaimed his dignity, Beneatha is becoming calmer with her interest in Asagai, her two children are getting along well, Ruth drops the idea of abortion and the family is moving to their new home in the white neighborhood despite the loss of 2/3 of the life insurance proceeds.

Stuck Writing Your "A Raisin in the Sun and the Dreams of Its Main Characters" Essay?

View All Our Example A Raisin in the Sun and the Dreams of Its Main Characters Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



2. Walter Lee

a. What is the dream?

Walter Lee dreams of becoming an important man who makes big business deals.

b. Why does it matter to the character?

The dream matters to Walter Lee for several reasons: he believes his current job as a chauffeur is "nothing at all"; he hears about big deals supposedly being made by other men, black and white; he wants to be able to provide well for his family; and he wants to be a strong father figure for his son.

c. What obstacles does it face?

Walter Lee's dream faces several obstacles, too. He lacks money to make big deals and his mother will not dedicate her $10,000 life insurance payout to his dream of opening a liquor store. As a chauffeur, he is disregarded by black people who are used to big deals, such as George Murchison and his father. His dream of the big deal liquor store is opposed by his mother, his wife and his sister. His dream is also threatened by his sister's plans to go to medical school, which will require part of the insurance proceeds, and the new house down payment, which also requires some of the insurance proceeds. After Walter Lee is entrusted with 2/3 of the insurance proceeds, the cruelest obstacle to his dream is his cheating business partner, Willie Harris, who ran away with all the money.

d. What is the status of the dream at the plays end?

The dream of making big deals is severely harmed and perhaps even killed by the end of the movie. However, it is replaced by Walter Lee's new dignity, beautifully revealed when Walter Lee explains to Mr.….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"A Raisin In The Sun And The Dreams Of Its Main Characters" (2016, April 17) Retrieved May 5, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/raisin-sun-dreams-main-characters-2157684

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"A Raisin In The Sun And The Dreams Of Its Main Characters" 17 April 2016. Web.5 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/raisin-sun-dreams-main-characters-2157684>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"A Raisin In The Sun And The Dreams Of Its Main Characters", 17 April 2016, Accessed.5 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/raisin-sun-dreams-main-characters-2157684
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example