Roa 1

Giovanni Roa

Prof. Daniels

ENG-005-L01

2 November 2023

A Raisin in the Sun Essay

Throughout American history, there have been many attempts to highlight many of the

underlying issues of society that are often blind-sided by others. A large proportion of these

issues connect to the struggles that many underrepresented groups of people have encountered in

the United States. Much of these aspects can be found in the play A Raisin in the Sun, which

demonstrates the life of a black family’s experiences as they attempt to improve their financial

status following the death of their father. The play primarily features many examples regarding

the role of racial discrimination, assimilation, and housing discrimination in the Younger family.

Many of these themes relating to the issues of black citizens were previously presented in

minimal ways and relatively not found in mainstream American society. However, the play A

Raisin in the Sun contributes to American literature through its ability to break new ground in the

depiction of black issues, the challenge of the American Dream, and the societal context it

provided for the United States at the time.

According to the article, “This is the Dream” written by Bassad Albadri Maher Mhayyal,

the conflicting nature of the American Dream is shown in A Rasin in the Sun through the

family’s struggles with American society (Mhayyal). The American Dream is defined as a set of

principles that reflect a chance for opportunity and a better life in American society. The

American Dream is a concept that is found in many forms of American literature and is presented
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in the Younger family. The Younger family’s desire for a better life reflects their pursuit of

achieving their dreams and succeeding past their current circumstances. However, they face

many obstacles relating to racial discrimination and economic struggles as they move to a

predominately White neighborhood. With further context, the story takes place sometime after

the Second World War, where many elements of the play mirror to political and social climate at

the time. For example, throughout the play, various members of the Younger family encounter

many of these problems related to their dreams being challenged. Walter is especially shown to

have many of his aspirations of improving his family’s economic situation being challenged. He

is shown to want to utilize the $10,000 insurance check issued to his family to invest in a liquor

store. Despite this aspiration, Mama is quick to object to this idea and their financial situation

prevents them from being inconsiderate with money. This conflict between the family’s goals

stems beyond their circumstances and relates directly back to the title of the play. The title of the

play, being based on a line from the poem “Harlem,” helps provoke a connection to the family’s

fading dream, as the poem features much imagery relating to something ending. This connection

with the poem is likely used as a representation of the family’s current situation. With the

family’s motivation and goals deteriorating, the title is likely meant to demonstrate their dreams

drying metaphorically over time. According to “This is the Dream,” their struggle for happiness

began to dry up because they began to focus on surviving and had to overcome life’s obstacles

the hard way (Mhayyal). Overall, the struggles that the Younger family faces not only depict the

challenges in achieving the American Dream but also the challenges that they face as a black

family.

Throughout the play, there are various examples of racial and housing discrimination that

the Younger family faces as they begin to plan on moving to their new home. For example, the
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Younger family is shown to encounter problems as Karl Lindner attempts to buy them out. This

encounter also connects to American literature, as Lorraine Hansberry was a Black writer that

connected many issues of American society in her work. For example, in the first act of A Raisin

in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry depicts racial discrimination through this threatening situation:

WALTER. We don’t want to hear no exact terms of no arrangements. I want to know if you got

any more to tell us ‘bout getting together?

LINDER. (Taking off his glasses) Well—I don’t suppose that you feel …

WALTER. Never mind how I feel—you got any more to say ‘bout how people ought to sit down

and talk to each other? … Get out of my house, man.

(He turns his back and walks to the door)

LINDER. (Looking around at the hostile faces and reaching and assembling his hat and

briefcase) Well—I don’t understand why you people are reacting this way. What do you think

you are to gain by moving into a neighborhood where you just aren’t wanted and where some

elements—well—people can get awful worked up when they feel that their whole way of life

and everything they’ve ever worked for threatened. (Hansberry 119)

This scene further exemplifies the racial discrimination that the Younger family faces with their

investment in their new home. It is shown that Mr. Linder has the intention of buying them out,

to prevent them from integrating into a White neighborhood. He is shown to want to keep them

out so they will not harm the reputation or lives of those in his neighborhood. This form of

discrimination leaves Walter and his family disturbed which prompts them to ask Mr. Linder to

leave. This interaction captures the tension arising from housing discrimination and the way it

limits Black families from having the opportunity to live in society. Therefore, the family
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refusing to accept the offer demonstrates the perseverance they have when they encounter this

form of racial discrimination. Ultimately, having the Younger family go through with their

decision to move into their new home serves as a representation of challenging societal norms

and a sign of American progress.

Mirroring the societal backdrop of the 1950s, A Rasin in the Sun demonstrates the climate

of the United States at the time. The Younger family’s issues reflect this type of depiction, due to

the political and societal struggles of Black families at the time. With the period of the play

taking place in the 50s, many themes of housing and racial discrimination are primary examples

of the limited opportunities for the family. With the setting of the story taking place in such an

environment, Lorraine Hansberry properly portrays the circumstances of the Younger family as

one that precedes future social changes. From the family’s desire to move to a better

neighborhood or to improve their financial situation, these issues serve to reflect the challenge of

the existing American Dream. Whether this be through the family’s affirmation of moving to

their new home or remaining hopeful in their current circumstance, these details reflect the

situation of many while demonstrating the changes in American society to come. In conclusion,

A Rasin in the Sun serves as a beneficial and timeless contribution to American literature because

of its ability to handle themes relating to societal barriers, racial discrimination, and the role of

dreams.
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Works Cited:

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Random House, 1959.

Mhayyal, Basaad Albadr Maher. “"That Is the Dream” American Dream in Lorraine

Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun.” Research Gate, Sept. 2018,

www.researchgate.net/publication/328717809_That_is_the_dream_American_Dream_in_

Lorrain_Hansberry’s_A_Raisin_in_the_Sun.