Theme: The American Dream

One of the major themes in Lorraine Hansberry’s play, “A Raisin in the Sun”, is what has come to be known as “The American Dream”. This concept is the incarnation of all the hope, dreams and ideals that formed the United States of America. “The American Dream” is also often associated with the specific wording of The Declaration of Independence (1776) stating that “all men are created equal”[1] and that everyone has a right to pursuit happiness. Throughout history, The American Dream came to be understood as the idea that anyone, no matter how poor, no matter where in the world he is born, can climb the social ladder and have an opportunity to make it in life.

Individual Dreams

In the play, “A Raisin in the Sun”, it quickly becomes clear that all members of the Younger family have dreams of their own. Especially the siblings, Walter Lee and Beneatha Younger, have clear ideas about what they want their future to look like.

Beneatha wants to study medicine and become a doctor. She explains ...