Langston Hughes's A Raisin In The Sun

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Keeping A Dream Alive: Dreams in A Raisin in the Sun What happens to a dream deferred? In Langston Hughes poem “Harlem”, He states many negative acts that happen to the dream differed, but also counters the negative acts with positive acts. The feeling of the good and bad acts in dreams is felt by each character in the play. The play takes place just after WWII. The Younger family lives in a predominately black neighborhood, in an old beat up house. The members of the Younger family all face obstacles on reaching their dreams. Mama dreams of having a garden and a new home that is large enough for the whole family to live in. For Beneatha, She dreams of becoming a doctor even though she is a female. Walter Lee wants to open a liquor store …show more content…
When Mama’s husband passes away, the insurance money allowed her to buy a larger and nicer home. One struggle Mama faces to reaching her dream is that the house she bought is in a white neighborhood and they did not want any blacks moving in. Mr.Lindner, who is a representative of the Clybourne Park Association, comes to their home before they move and offers them a deal. Mr.Lindner said they would gain more money than what they paid for the new house by selling the new house to him and not moving in. Walter Lee politely declined this opportunity. Mr.Lindner then warned them rudely by saying “what do you think you are going to gain by moving into a neighborhood where you aren’t wanted…” (Hansberry 119). After receiving this rude statement Walter Lee, of whom was obviously offended, had Mr.Lindner removed from the house rather quickly. Another dream Mama has is having a garden in the yard of her home. Her small plant, which she keeps by the window, is a symbol of keeping her dreams alive, and Mama did not let her little plant die. While she was moving, she took her plant because it symbolized her dreams. Even though she reached her dreams, there will be new ones to