One recurring theme is the idea of unfulfilled dreams. Each character in A Raisin in the Sun has unfulfilled dreams, mainly involving money and the focus of the American Dream. "You tired aren't you? Tired of everything. Me, the boy, the way we live- this beat up hole- everything. Ain't you? (Pg. 32). Walter says this to Ruth after Travis leaves for school, seeing how unhappy she is with this lifestyle. This is clearly due to the lack of money, taking a toll on her happiness.
Similarly, Walter expresses his disappointment in life, saying "I'm thirty-five years old; I been married eleven years and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room- and all I got to give him is stories about how rich white people live..." (Pg. 34). This shows clear discontentment in his lifestyle. Walter wishes for the American Dream but all he has is stories. He can’t give his son a nice house and a great lifestyle, but only stories about how the richer live.
Walter’s discontentment and concern for money branch off to make his sister Beneatha unhappy for her decisions. Walter asks, “Have we figured out yet just exactly how much medical school is going to cost?” (Pg. 36). This concern is brought from his own desire for money. His mother gets insurance checks for the death of her husband and uses the money as she sees fit. Beneatha feels unhappy for her decisions because Walter makes her feel guilty for her decisions. The family as a unit is very unhappy with their lack of money and the theme of unfulfilled dreams is evident.
Lorraine Hansberry makes it known early on in the play that this theme of unfulfilled dreams is prevalent. When describing Ruth's character, she states the following: "We can see that she was a pretty girl, even exceptionally so, but now it is apparent that life has been little that she expected, and disappointment has already begun to hang in her face" (24). This shows that Ruth is living life in despair. Her low expectations are a result of this loss of hope.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the main theme in the play is that everyone has the potential to fulfill their dreams, but do you think that the dreams are unfulfilled for a reason? I think the dreams they have now will change into success by the end of the play. Each individual person will achieve their goals to show character development. Along with the development, it will show the race barrier breaking down.
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