How can dreams be deferred affect one’s motivation to succeed? A person’s motivation to succeed is determined by their dream. While everyone has their own dreams and goals, there is clearly more to be won for an ethnic group than any other. In 1959’s play A Raising in the Sun, the story of a black working-class family struggling to live in oppressive conditions is told. The time was when both blacks & whites suffered from segregation. It shows how many people have made sacrifices to get freedom. The hardships they face in life will not allow everyone to realize their dreams. It is important because the play shows how people struggle with the stereotypical views of 1959. The play was about an African American family who is granted money due to the death of a family member. Lorraine Hansberry highlights the family’s pride in being able to overcome the limitations of the environment. A Raisin in the Sun’s characters each pursue their own dream. However, they all end up pursuing a collective dream that they feel is more important than their individual dreams.
Mrs. Lena Younger longed to live in a more beautiful house. Moma shared this dream with her husband, who was never able to realize it. Mama wanted her family to be happy so she took the steps to realize her dream. She purchased a house within a decent neighborhood that was, sadly, predominantly white. It was a good dream and she knew it would provide a safe place for her family. Moma is a great example of someone who puts the needs of her family first. Moma was always putting her family first and helping in every way possible. Mama wanted to preserve Mr. younger’s memory because he had always worked hard and hoped to be a better parent. She was able to earn money because of her husband’s dream of buying her home. They were both struggling financially and couldn’t come up with enough money to realize their dream. Mama’s dream was realized when her husband died and the money from insurance paid for it. Mama’s family is, in her eyes, the most important thing. Her dream of moving into a new house is not for her own financial gain, but her whole family. It is stated that Travis does not have his own bedroom in the house she’s currently living in. As time passed, Mama’s house-dream became an unattainable expectation. Mama’s small, but still ongoing vision was represented by Mama’s flower. It is the whitening that occurs when you deny the existence of life outside your apartment. She holds dear her dreams of a garden, where the sun can reach her plants. Murray wrote that Mama is clear in her desire to see her children prosper and to have a garden. She is strongly connected to her southern roots and the importance of plants. The plant represents the hard work that mama puts in to providing for her family. Walter Lee Younger’s care for the plant is symbolic of her love for her family. Although he tries to be a caring person, he doesn’t know how to love. Walter Lee is a desperate man who has become obsessed with a business idea that he claims will solve his social and economic problems. Walter desires to have prosperity for his family and himself, so that they can provide for their needs. With his business idea, he believes he can provide material goods for his wife. Walter has fantasies of opening an alcohol store together with one of his close friends. He feels that it will allow him to have more money and be able to provide for the family. Walter decides to leave $10,000 in life insurance so that he can invest in the store. His entire family was against him. Walter becomes depressed at the inability of his family to support him and refuses his job. Mama sees Walter’s frustration at not being able to get the cash and decides that she will give him some. He must make sure that he has some cash left over for Beneatha’s medical school education costs.
Beneatha, a college student, is the youngest of her family members but the most well-educated. Education is her most important asset in life. She dreams of becoming a doctor to save her people from ignorance. Walter’s financial loss could cause her first dream to be postponed. All women can also delay their dream. Beneatha is living in a society where women should be pursuing their careers and homes. Beneatha believes her actions can help people understand, but it is still unclear what course she will take. Beneatha was liberal, independent, feminist and educated at college. She is active in civil rights discussions and brings politics into her apartment. Through the entire film, we see her struggle to identify as an African-American woman. Asagai criticizes Beneatha for being’subsumed’, which is a way she hides her African-ness. Asagai encourages Beneatha not to forget her African roots.
Beneatha has a debate with George, one of her rich boyfriends. He’s also a Black American, but doesn’t see any reason not to honor their African heritage. George regards himself as an American and believes that blacks who are too concerned about Africa are wasting time. Beneatha emphasized the importance of what lies within a person. Mama was the only one who understood that she saw beneath the surface. Beneatha wearyly explains that she didn’t mean to be serious about George. He’s shallow. She doesn’t want to be with George because he can provide for her financial needs. Unsurprisingly, Beneatha doesn’t seem to be interested in George by the end. She contemplates marrying Asagai to practice medicine in Africa.
Walter is inspired to stand with his family and fight for their rights. As a result, he begins to see his self-worth and how it relates to the legacy resistance. He is proud of his heritage and the south. The play’s outcome was positive. Walter makes the right decision, which improves their relationship. They stand together against the racist offers of the white man. The Younger families’ dreams prove that there are positive possibilities even when faced with daunting odds. This is a great example of how to face discrimination and not just ignore them. Mama wants everyone to learn a lesson about the importance of family. As they learn to respect each other’s wishes, even after experiencing a traumatizing event, their family becomes stronger. The play shows the resilience and perseverance required for a family to face difficult situations and succeed in life. The play showed Walter that sometimes dreams should be abandoned and Mama that sometimes dreams must not be lost. It was shown through Beneatha that not everything is as it seems. After joining together, the family was given the opportunity to overcome a significant obstacle.
