Original "A Raisin in the Sun" Trailer

Friday, May 16, 2008

Question #10

Throughout the play, the characters express their wants in life and how they try to achieve their goals. For example Walters goal to own his own liquor business. How can dreams like those of the characters in the play be an allegory for dreams and hardships today?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

In the play, each of the characters expresses their dreams and hopes for the future- Lena's is to buy a home with a large garden, Bennie's wishes to become a doctor, and Walter's is to own a business so that he may better provide for his family. The character's face certain obstacles, whether it may be gender, race or financial struggles, that keep them from attaining their dreams. In today's world, just as in the 1950's setting of the play, dreams harvest an enormous power and provide an escape from dire reality. In the play, Walter's dream causes much dispute and tension within the family, while Mama's dream of a home ultimately unites the family. Similarly, dreams today can tear apart or reconstruct relationships.

VT

Anonymous said...

I do not agree with VT's way of expressing how dreams today are similar to achieve.

Dreams today are like Walter's because, nowadays everyone wants everything to be handed over to them, and with the advancements of technology dreams are easier to achieve, if a person has the drive. Like Walter though a lot of people blame not being able to achieve their dreams on a main source, for some it is money, others large families, and then again some people just blame it on their self.

Our dreams today are like Ruth's and Lena's dreams because, unless we have some dire dislike for one of our family members, we always want the best for them, especially parents wanting a lot for their children. Ruth exemplifies this by being overwhelmingly joyful when Lena tells Travis about buying him a house. She is excited that he can amount to more with a house already set up. Lena also expresses this concern, especially when it comes to Walter. By giving Walter the remainder of the insurance check she is risking a lot. She knows that Walter will probably put it down on a liquor business, but she trusts him to make the right decision and knows that she has to give him the money in order to cheer him up. I know my parents are always pushing me to do my best and work my hardest. They want the best for me.

Our dreams today are also comparable to Bennie's dreams. She shows the idea of wanting something big, becoming a female doctor in the 1950s, just as many people today dream of becoming baseball players and actors. Sure we have a chance to become what we want in our dreams, but we have to work really hard to achieve our goals, because those professions are very hard to get into only a handful of people make it.

KCH

Anonymous said...

I agree with KCH and believe that everyone wants to achieve that big fantasy they have in their mind and the only way to do this is with hard work. But, there is also the time when successful dreams don’t occur. In the Raisin in the Sun, all the characters have big dreams. For example, Bennie wants to become a doctor and Walter wants to open up a liquor store. Furthermore, the only way for these characters to achieve their dreams is with hard work. Bennie needs to fight both racial and sexist boundaries as she studies to become a doctor. This example shows the success of working hard. Walter must acquire a liquor license, find a location for his store, set up the store, and do a lot more work so he could be able to run a liquor store. Walter loses the money trying to get a liquor license and can never open up a store. This example shows how dreams sometimes don’t come true. The allegory of having to work hard for what you want is still in action today. If someone dreams of becoming an astronaut, they must study, practice, and be determined to succeed. However, only so many of these hardworking individuals will be allowed to go into outer space. Therefore, determination and hard work will lead to successful dreams most of the time. DES