Dreams In Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun

Dreaming creates opportunities of happiness. In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, the Younger family lives in a small apartment on South Side Chicago. The Younger’s are ambitiously waiting for the arrival of the insurance money being sent by mail. Mama, like always is looking after her plant, “‘Well I always wanted me a garden like I used to see sometimes at the back of the houses down home. This plant is close as I ever got to having one’” (53). For Mama, the plant provides her with the dream of what she could have, a garden. Even though the plant is small and doesn’t have the best growing conditions, Mama still tends to it. 

Similar to her dream in life, to one day get a house of their own, where she and her plant can flourish. After the news and excitement of the new house, Mama is tending to her plant and preparing it for the move, “‘Mama, you going to take that to the new house?’ ‘Un-huh-’ ‘That reggedy- looking old thing?’ ‘It expresses ME!’” (121). Although Mama could have a garden with new plants, she decides to bring the withering plant with her. The plant gets a new opportunity to grow and flourish.

Similar to Mama, she may not be rich and have the perfect life, but now she’s getting the opportunity she’s always dreamed of where her family can succeed. As the family moves out of the apartment and Mama leaves for the last time she comes back for her plant, “The lights dim down. The door opens and she comes in, grabs her plant, and goes out for the last time” (151). Mama was planning on leaving her plant but was hesitant. Her plant is a part of her past and she persevered and got to her dream. Her plant demonstrates the thought of happiness one day and now they will both get what they want and need. 

In conclusion, Having goals makes for a hopeful future,