Dreams, Dreams– It’s All About Dreams!!!
There are two significant ways in which Lorraine Hansberry explores the notion of dreams in A Raisin in the Sun, which this blog post will analyze. The first way Hansberry explores dreams is through each individual character’s dreams. The second is through her symbolic use of light.
Walter’s dreams involve being a successful entrepreneur and providing more for his family. In the first act we learn he has aspirations to open up a liquor store with his friends. Unfortunately because of his low income job and his inability to secure money through a loan, he has been unable to save for his business and simultaneously support his family. Beneatha, his sister, has dreams of going into med school but because of the family’s poor financial prospects she has not been able to chase her dream yet. Walter’s mother Mama’s dream is for her son to be happy, and when she receives the check, it’s to buy the house which would allow her family to have a better life.
Walter’s wife Ruth’s dream is to support her family and support her husband’s dreams so they might better their circumstances. His son Travis also has a dream, to be a working man like his father wants to be.
By the end of Act II, none of these dreams materialize because of Walter’s well meaning but naive actions.
The play is an important piece of literature that depicts the struggles African American families in America went through after WWII, specifically a low income working family in the lower southside of Chicago, the Youngers. The play follows their struggles as they try to move up financially in the world and deals with the harsh realities of the world they live in. At first I thought these characters’ dreams were motivated by money, and although that might be true to a point, I believe there is something that motivates them more. What they are truly motivated by is their dreams, their goals, their desires. They keep them going. This type of motivation can do great things but can also destroy people if they have too much invested emotionally in a dream that doesn’t materialize. But we can see that because of the Younger’s financial situation and living in the 50’s with its institutionalized racism and segregation and limited life and financial opportunities, actually being able to realize their dreams seems unlikely. But after Mama receives a 10,000 dollar check in the mail, all of that changes. The Youngers now have an opportunity to achieve what they have been striving for. They now have the money for Beneatha to afford med school, for Walter to start up his liquor business, and even enough money to purchase a new house for the family.
Another literary feature Hansberry incorporates into her play is her use of light. In the play, light (and the lack of light as well) symbolizes dreams. Early on, light is represented by the mention of the sun. Mama says, “Lord, if this little old plant don’t get more sun than it’s been getting it ain’t never going to see spring again.” There is only a small window in this very small apartment for too many people. The only light that “fights its way” comes through this window, and the only natural light the family can enjoy each day is only that which “fights its way” through this little window. It is not enough to light their dreams, unfortunately, just as it’s not enough for a single dying plant. I feel like the plant dying represents the dimness in the apartment and the darkness in the lives of these family members who do not live enough “in the sunlight” or have any real way to achieve their dreams.
Another relevant light related quote in the play happens after Mama tells her family about the new house. Ruth asks Mama, “Is there a whole lot of sunlight?” Mama says yes. In this case, the sunlight represents the possibilities of a better future. It represents hope. In their old apartment, there was almost no sunlight, and the family was constantly drained and weighed down by the world around them. But in this new house, there will be sunlight everywhere. In such a house there is a real possibility they will achieve their dreams.
An interesting light reference easily missed is in Act II, Scene II, when Beneatha’s boyfriend, George and Walter are going at each other. Walter is baiting and insulting George who is acting superior and condescending to Walter. As George is leaving he says, “Bye, Prometheus.” This is a name Walter has never heard of. In the myth of Prometheus, this Titan God of Fire stole fire so he could give it to humanity. Fire, which the sun also represents, symbolizes dreams and a hope for a better future. Promotheus brought this to earth but Zeus tied him to a rock and an eagle plucked out his liver each night, which grew back each day only to be eaten again. This might symbolize the futility of dreams and hope and make us ask the question, how dare Walter try to do something great for himself? He is just a poor black working man with no education and prospects after all, and it’s impossible to advance in a world that is against you. What you’ll get for trying to change your life and your family’s lives is pain and suffering. Hansberry’s Prometheus reference in a way foreshadows what happens later in Act II when Willy steals the money from Walter. The money represents his dream which is stolen, and what’s left in its absence is far more suffering than before he received the money.
Walter is also like Prometheus in how he rebelled against God (this could be the societal infrastructure or norms in Walter’s world), but really changing his circumstances is a dream impossible to achieve in his segregated, racist world. Walter’s dream is actually a fantasy.
QUESTIONS
- The play starts with a poem. What are the different ways in this play that dreams deferred show up in their character’s lives?
- At the end of Act II, is there any hope that the characters will improve their lives without money? What are some possible other ways besides money their lives could still improve, despite everything that’s happened?
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After reading A Rasin in the Sun act II and your blog post we find out that all of Walter and Beneatha’s money is gone, all $6500. “Is it gone? Son, I gave you sixty-five hundred dollars. Is it gone? All of it? Beneatha’s money too? (Hansberry pg 129) There is hope that the characters can benefit their lives without the money. It seems that Walter’s dream is gone, since we found out that he lost all of his money when he tried to invest in something with Bobo and Willy. Although they don’t have the money anymore, there are still great ways that their lives could improve. In the beginning of scene II the disconnect between Ruth and Walter shows. Their relationship has been rocky and Ruth feels that they don’t see eye to eye anymore. Hopefully their lives could improve by the relationship of the whole family together. After all they are all one big family, and families are supposed to love each other through thick and thin. Despite everything that has happened, there is always more to look forward to even when the money you need is not there anymore.
Hi James,
While I was reading your blog post, I noticed your paragraph about Ruth and how she supports Walter’s dreams. In my opinion, I do not think that Ruth is very supportive of Walter and his dreams. Every time Walter brings up the co-ownership of the liquor store, they get into an argument because Ruth does not like the idea of Walter using so much money on something that is risky. Ruth said. “Walter that ain’t none of our money” (34). Ruth is not supportive of Walter using Mama’s money to go buy a liquor store when though if it was to be successful, Walter could buy Mama and then some. In this case scenario, Ruth is looking at the negatives and is not liking the idea of wasting Mama’s check on something that might not succeed. I think Ruth would be more supportive if the family had more money than what they have now, but money is tight for all of them, and with checks arriving it is making everyone go crazy because they all want it.
After reading your Blog posts I would like to answer the first question with how the deterred dream of Walters influences the arguments between him and Ruth about his previous business attempt and how that affects the current attempt and how it affects his personal feelings and decisions about it. You can also see how the dreams deferred by Beneatha affect how she wants mama to spend her money. Even though she has spent money or has money spent on her a lot with her very diverse career, she understands it was for things she was temporarily passionate for. So, when she says, “That money belongs to Mama, Walter, and it’s for her to decide how she wants to use it. I don’t care if she wants to buy a house or a rocket ship or just nail it up somewhere and look at it. It’s hers. Not ours—hers”, I feel that it gives her the reason and will to let Mama do whatever her passion desires to do with that money. As for answering the second question, at the moment I have no clue. Their situation right now is horribly low but to go with your references to light I believe that they could get astronomically lucky. Light also has associations to hope, so if they have hope or keep the light that’s there it will lead them out of the darkness to a happier place, and since the book has a lot to do with Christianity and religion, you can replace the word hope with faith. This goes with the many religious teachings of Christianity revolving around the struggles that God gives his children, and how they shall be rewarded through their faith and worship. There is a line that says God gives his hardest struggles to his greatest soldiers. So, I believe if they keep their hope or strengthen/renew their faith they will be “saved”.
James, I really like how you further explained Promotheus in your blog post. It is something I had never heard of before so it really helped how you explained the meaning behind it, and connected it to what George could have meant when he called Walter Promotheus. Also, there are many different examples where dreams deferred show up in the characters’ lives. At the very end of Act II, it is exposed that Walter invested all of the $6500 to Willy for their business. This is exactly what Mama did not want him to do. She specifically told him $3000 was for Beneatha’s college expenses, and the rest could go towards investing in a business. The minute Walter decided he was not going to leave any of the money for Beneatha’s schooling, her dreams of graduating college instantly deferred. Mama’s dream of having money to pay for Beneatha’s college was instantly deferred. Also, Mama’s dream of Walter appreciating and taking after his father was also deferred in this moment. Mama says to Walter, “…I seen him grow thin and old before he was forty…working and working and working like somebody’s old horse…killing himself…and you–you give it all away in a day–” ( Hansberry 129). Mama was so disappointed in her son and how he disrespected herself, and his father. Many dreams were deferred for the Youngers in Act II.
I loved how you mentioned that the characters are driven by their dreams. Especially Mama, her dream reminds me of the American dream on a hold. Mama wants a better home for her family so that she can raise them better. It also sheds light on the fact that most African Americans during that time couldn’t achieve the American dream simply because the majority of them were at or below the poverty line. Their dreams were put on hold for a long time, which can hurt their drive to achieve it. Money plays a big role in this play. You mentioned how you the characters are also driven by money. In my opinion it is vice versa. They are mainly driven by their dreams which need money in order to achieve them hence they are also driven by money. Going back that large sum of money Mama receives; everyone wants Mama to give it to them to use for their dreams. All but Beneatha who has a dream that requires majority if not all the money. In “A Raisin In the Sun” Beneatha said to Walter “That money belongs to Mama, Walter, and it’s for her to decide how she wants to use it.”
Hi James! I agree with your interpretation of the symbolism of light throughout the play. There are also different instances of symbolism.
Hansberry uses the state of the apartment to relate to the state of the family. It states “the carpet has fought back by showing its weariness, with depressing uniformity, elsewhere on its surface” (Hansberry, pg 23). This shows that no matter what is done to the place, the condition of it continues to show. This connects to the family because no matter what they have done, they have never been able to get out of their condition of poverty. The plant is another example of symbolism. Mama takes care of the plant everyday even though it is described as “feeble” (Hansberry, pg 39). The plant symbolizes the family. Mama continues to take pride in the plant despite its condition, just like she continues to take care of her family despite their circumstances. The plant has fought to continue to live just like the family has fought to try to achieve their dreams.
Hi James,
It is clear to me that you understand the characters dreams very well and expressed them in a way that the play doesn’t. I really like the way you pointed out Hansberry’s foreshadowing of Walter through Prometheus and defended Walter’s intentions. Prometheus’s story represents Walter’s failure in trying to better himself and his family. Willy is Zeus to Walter, in that he has chained him down by taking his money and the Prometheus’s liver represents Walter’s dream, in that it is eaten away just for the thought of what could have been to reappear. His dream being eaten away is shown when Walter hears the news of what Willy did. Walter says “Gone? What you mean Willys gone? Gone where?” (Hansberry pg 128). In the play it just means that Willy and the money is gone, but it also represents Walter’s dream, which is really what’s gone.
To answer your question about if the characters can improve their lives without the money, I think that their dreams are now going to be harder than ever. Not just because the money is gone, but I think Walters actions are going to cause some tension and distrust in the family and the family might begin to crumble, as not only was Walter’s dream gone, so was Beneatha’s, Mama’s, and Ruth’s. All their dreams were based on money and the money that came in was a good opportunity for their dreams to become a reality, but it is all gone.
Hi, James I really enjoyed your blog post and personally I believe there’s still hope for the Younger Family at the end of act 3 because they still have their new home which they can move into. This house has is a better community and they will be paying less money for a better-quality house because of the location. Even after Mr. Linder offered the money for the house and more the characters were still persistent in moving no matter how the community will react towards them. Also, I believe it is Mama’s decision but they could always take Mr. Linder’s offer just so Beneatha has money for school and Mama could find another house with the rest of the money. Other than scenarios relating to money the family can still look forward to a bigger house with more space, a bigger kitchen, and their very own bathroom. With this new house they can start saving up for anything that comes their way. Either way they still have their new home which they can enjoy in a safer neighborhood and start their new lives and dreams there.
Hello James, I’m sorry for the late response! I really like your blog post. While answering question two I think that there is hope for the younger family, they still have their lovely new home that they all are moving into. The house is in a “white” neighborhood, meaning that back then there were only white middle-class families, and not many African Americans lived there because of racism. They could also use Lindor’s money if they accept the deal that he is giving for the house, they could use the money especially Beneatha for her education. “Mama: Oh—So now it’s life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it’s money. I guess the world really does change. I like this quote because she doesn’t really understand why money is everything right now. I feel like this quote is special during this act. Sorry again for the late response, have a good day.
The play starts with the poem by Langston Hughes, the poem starts with a question. What happens to a dream deferred? Dreams deferred show up in many ways throughout the play, one of those ways is with Mama and her plant. She is dreaming of a garden and all she has is a plant on the windowsill. Another dream deferred is Ruth’s dream of living in a house. There is not enough room in the house they are in, and she is expecting a baby. She gets so excited, when Mama buys a house with the insurance money. When she hears the news she says, “Well-well! All I can say is-if this is my time in life-MY TIME-to say good-bye-to these goddamned cracking walls!-and these marching roaches!- and this cramped little closet which ain’t now or never was no kitchen!… then I say it loud and good, HALLELUJAH! AND GOOD-BYE MISERY… I DON’T NEVER WANT TO SEE YOUR UGLY FACE AGAIN! (93-94 Hansberry). You can tell by the emotion in the text that this dream has been deferred for a while with all the emphasis on the negative aspects of the apartment they currently reside in. Another dream deferred is Walter Lee’s. He is dreaming of starting his own business, he feels like his family does not understand him or support his wants or desires. He believes whole heartily in this liquor store and, when his mother buys the house, he loses all hope. In the text he says, “So you butchered up a dream of mine-you-who always talking ‘bout your children’s dreams… (95 Hansberry). In this sentence we can feel the disappointment the word “butchered” brings up the connotation of the physical slaughter of a dream. These dreams deferred affect the characters in diverse ways, Mama learns to live with her plant and is hopeful. Ruth struggles with her husband and holds on to the dream along with her sanity. While Walter fights with everyone in pursuit of his dream. His dream defines him and is his only hope.
Hi James, I think it’s really interesting that you brought up whether or not there is hope or a future for the family to thrive after Walter lost the money. After finishing Act II, there is not much the audience can depend on to see any sort of resolution to this issue or hope for the Youngers. Mama is practically broken by what Walter has done. Everyone is disappointed and mad at Walter for losing the money. Beneath especially is furious with Walter. Mama reminds her that they are still family and he is her brother. She still has to love him. There is always something left to love. And if you ain’t learned that, you ain’t learned nothing. (Looking at her) Have you cried for that boy today? Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody? Make sure you done taken into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is.” (145). Mama reminds Beneatha that although he has done something very wrong and detrimental, they have to come together as one to get through this. This is the most important thing for the Youngers, and the only way I see them thriving.