Post 3

Raisin in the Sun

Before her play commences, Hansberry presents the poem "A Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes. This epigraph divulges the major theme of the play before the reader turns the first page. The dreams realized, deferred, or laid off creates the topic of discussion. Each character considers his or her dreams; nevertheless, the way in which they act upon those drives differ completely. Ruth desires Walter's love and affections. Her dreams of family were ignored. She realizes that she could not be enough for him because his dreams deprived him of happiness. Walter's desire for monetary wealth and other yearnings. He tells his mother, "I want so many things that they are driving me kind of crazy...(73)" He cannot wait to have what he wants, and his impatience coerces him to alienate his family. Also, Mama desires a house; she realizes her dream but at a cost of possible bodily harm. Finally, Beneatha demands medical excellence by going to college. However, these single dreams do not compare to their combined dream. They covet freedom. They want to be able to live like the white people do and be treated equally. They wait and wait for this to happen until Walter explodes. He redeems himself and moves into the house to become an equal.