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Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun Essay examples

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Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, one of the most important themes is the American Dream. Many of the characters in this play have hopes and aspirations; they all strive towards their goals throughout the play. However, many of the characters in the play have different dreams that clash with each other. Problems seem to arise when different people’s dreams conflict with one another; such as Walter’s versus Bennie’s, George’s versus Asagai’s, and the Clybourne Park versus the Younger’s.

Walter and Bennie both have very different mindsets and they constantly are fighting, therefor they both have very different dreams that are on opposite ends of the spectrum. …show more content…

They both are greedy in wanting what’s best for them, and they fail to see how each other’s dreams can help the whole family in general. If Walter would realize that if Bennie became a doctor they would make more money, then he might have supported her because it would help the family. Bennie would have supported Walter’s dreams more if she realized how profitable a liquor store could be, and how that could possibly help pay for medical school. It is this stubbornness (on Walter’s behalf mainly) that loses them the money.

The second set of dreams that are in conflict with each other is George’s Dream vs. Agasis's dream. George’s dream is simply to blend in, become successful. He feels as if he is as much an American as anyone else, White or Black, and it is his dream to blend in and assimilate. George accepts that he has become part of American culture and society, he wants to be. Furthermore, he tries to impose he viewpoints on Bennie, and get her to disregard the ideas that Asagai is telling her. Agasis’s Dream is to make a successful Africa. All he wants to do is create a better Africa, and a better home for his people. He says, "I will go home and much of what I will have to say will seem strange to the people of my village. But I will teach and work and things will happen, slowly and swiftly." ( ) This shows how he has only one dream - the dream of saving Africa, but this dream is very different from George’s dream of

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