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The American Dream In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

Satisfactory Essays

Youstina Ragheb
Mrs. Iannacone
Honors English II, Period 8
18 May 2018
The American Dream: subtitle The American Dream is one that is glorified by people all over the world. Recognized by historians in 1931 during the Great Depression, it catalyzed the masses to endure through the economic downfall, and work hard with a promise for a better life subsequently. Rafael Cruz once said “Only in America can someone start with nothing and achieve the American Dream. That is the greatness of this country”. The concept of being able to climb up through hard work and dedication sounds most appealing to those at the bottom of the social pyramid. People of all cultures flocked to the place where all seemed possible. Although the theory has become a reality …show more content…

Unfortunately, prejudice and racism towards blacks and hispanics earlier still affects their generations today. Most blacks and hispanics today are working their way up from the bottom since their families were held back because of their race. Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun described the hardships a black family had to go through to get a house in a white community in the 1850s, and when they lost hope Mama, the head of the family, quoted her husband Walter who said “…’Seem like God didn’t see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams – but He did give us children to make them dreams seem worthwhile’.” (23-24). In comparison, today “63% of blacks and 62% of Hispanics said it was easier for them to achieve the dream than their parents… [since] previous generations of blacks had to contend with segregation and closed doors in many parts of the country.” (Luhby 1). A Raisin in the Sun accurately portrays the doors that shut in the face of a black family because of their color. In To Kill A Mockingbird, a reputable black man was found guilty of a crime he did not commit based on the evidence, or the lack thereof. However like his lawyer, Atticus Finch explained that “when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins.” (Lee 220) While it is inarguably easier for people of color today to achieve the american dream, those who do

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