American Dream in A Raisin In The Sun Essay Example

“Mama this is Friday, Check coming tomorrow, huh? (Ruth) You get your mind off money and eat your breakfast. (Travis) This is the morning we supposed to bring the fifty cents to school. (Ruth) Well I ain't got no fifty cents this morning”(pg.28). Not all live the American dream. When life does not include the American dream, you might walk down the street and get robbed or taken. No American dream, then no safety, happiness or freedom.

In the play “Raisin In The Sun”, none of the characters are living the American dream. For example, Walter has an image of his American dream but is not yet living it. In the text it says,” and there ain't gonna be no investing in liquor stores”(pg.70). WAlter is trying to start living his dream, but his family is shutting down his ideas. Walter is definitely not living his American dream because he can't do what he wants and he is just letting people step over him. In addition, Nobody really cares about or listens to walter. In the text it states,”(Walter) I can talk to her later- Mama, look- (Mama) Son- (Walter) WILL SOMEONE PLEASE LISTEN TO ME TODAY!”(pg.20). Mama keeps cutting off Walter and wont let him say anything. He always gives others a chance to speak so he should get the same respect. He can barely even say a word without being interrupted.  That is not something anyone would want to go through, that is why people choose the American dream. Furthermore, even though Walter seems like a nice guy he causes a lot of money fights. In the text the author stated,”(Mama) That woman who- (Walter) Did it come? (Mama) Cant you give people a christain greeting before you start asking about money?”(pg.70). This evidence shows that his family is tired of him asking for money all the time. This family might feel like Walter is a rude selfish person who only cares about himself. It's not just hard for Walter sometimes, Ruth's life is very difficult too.

Ruth is a busy woman in life and has a lot to deal with, but unfortunately she isn't living the American dream. For example, she and her husband, Walter started fighting with each other. The text says,”(Walter) Prometheus! I bet there ain't even no such thing! I bet that simple- minded clown- (Ruth) Walter- (Walter) (yelling) Don't start! (Ruth) Start what? (Walter) Your nagging! Where was i? Who was I with? How much money did I spend? (Ruth) Walter Lee- why don't we just try to talk about it… (Walter) (not listening)  I been out talking with people who understand me. People who care about the things i got on my mind. (Ruth) I guess that means people like Willy Harris.(Walter) yes. People like Willy Harris. (Ruth) Why don't you all just hurry up and go into the banking business and stop talking about it! Oh, Walter…(softly) honey, why can't you stop fighting me? (Walter) (without thinking) Who's fighting you? Who even cares about you?”(pg.86-87). This shows that Ruth just wants to live in peace with her husband. She does not want to fight with Walter anymore and she is getting sick and tired of fighting. In addition, she has a baby coming soon and she is trying her hardest to keep up with everything. In the text the author wrote,¨(Ruth) Well i guess from all the happy faces- everybody knows. (Beneatha) You pregnant? (Mama) Lord have mercy, I sure hope it's a little old girl. Travis ought to have a sister. (Beneatha)

How far along are you? (Ruth) Two months¨(pg.57-58). This evidence shows that she is pregnant and her family is really excited. Ruth still isn't living the American dream because there still is nowhere for the baby once it's born, their home is more than full. Furthermore, her husband is obsessive over money. The text says,¨No- there ain't no woman! Why do women always think there is a woman somewhere when a man gets reckless. (picks up the check) Do you know what this money means to me? Do you know what this money can do for us? (puts it back) Mama- Mama i want so many things...¨(pg.73). Ruth has enough to deal with already but now Walter is insulting her and going crazy. Walter wants to use the money that Ruth and her family worked hard for. It's probably really hard for Ruth to deal with a pregnancy, money fights, and putting up with walter. Ruth and Walter are not living the American dream and neither is their son Travis.

Travis is a young boy and also isn't living the American dream. For example. He doesn't get his own room and he sleeps on the couch. In the text the author wrote,¨i got a boy who sleeps in the living room¨(pg.34). Travis has nowhere else to sleep because they are very poor and can't afford a bigger house. That is not a part of the American dream. In addition, he does not have much because his parents can't give him many things. In the text it states,¨and all i got to give him is stories about how rich white people live...¨(pg.34). Travis probably has a lot of things he wants but he just keeps quiet. His family is not very successful so not all of his wishes can be granted. Furthermore, Travis has to make his own money so he can buy the things he wants because his parents are poor. The text says,¨(Travis) Could I maybe go carry some groceries in front of the supermarket for a little while after school? (Ruth) Get carfare and milk money- (waving one finger) -and not a single penny for no caps, you hear me? (Travis) yes´m¨(pg.29). Travis´s family doesn't even have enough money to support him so he needs to work himself. It's good for Travis to start being independent now cause he might have to when he is older. Ruth, Walter, and Travis all dont live the American dream so they have to be on their own sometimes.

In conclusion, none of the characters in the play live the American dream. Walter has an image of his Dream but is not yet living it. Ruth has no time for an American dream right now, she is too busy with other stuff. Travis is young so he still has time to figure out his American dream. Should everyone be able to live the American dream?