Raisin in the Sun Essay: A Dream Deferred -- Raisin Sun essays

Dream Deferred in A Raisin in the Sun What happens to a dream deferred? (l. 1) Langston Hughes asks in his 1959 poem Dream Deferred. He suggests that it might juiceless up like a raisin in the sun (ll. 2-3) or malodour like rotten meat (l. 6) however, at the end of the poem, Hughes offers another preference by asking, Or does it explode? (l. 11). This is the view Lorraine Hansberry supports in her 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun. The drama opens with Walter reading, Set off another bomb yesterday (1831), from the front page of the morning newspaper however, he is unaware that bombs testament soon detonate inside his own house. These bombs are explosions of emotion caused by foiling among members of Walters family who are unable to realize their dreams. Although they all have a common dream of having a better life, they must compete with all(prenominal) other for the insurance m maviny from the untimely death of Walters father. Walter wants to get mysterious quickly by investin g the notes in a spirits store, but his sister, Beneatha, would rather use it to finish medical school. Mama and Walters wife, Ruth, some(prenominal) want to leave their worn house in the ghetto for a nicer one where Walters son, Travis, can have his own bedroom and a yard in which to play. The dreams of these characters, however, are deferred for so long that frustration grows inside them and eventually bursts out. each(prenominal) day Walter has to continue working as a servant, his internal frustration and anger build, and he eventually releases his anger against Beneatha, Ruth, and Mama. Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? (1838) he demands of Beneatha. If you so crazy bout messing round with sick people&emdash so go be a nurse like other women&emdashor just ... ... all-white neighborhood. The opposition of Mr. Lindner (who offers a substantial amount of money to bargain for the house from them) unites the family in their mutual goal, and Walter finally comes into his manhood (1896) he declines Lindners money and declares, we have decided to move into our house because my father&emdashmy father&emdashhe earned it for us brick by brick (1894). When cooperation replaces competition, the family can finally realize its dreams. full treatment Cited Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. literary productions and Its Writers An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Eds. Ann Charters and Samuel Charters. Boston Bedford Books, 1997. 1829-96. Hughes, Langston. Dream Deferred. Literature and Its Writers An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Eds. Ann Charters and Samuel Charters. Boston Bedford Books, 1997. 1138.