This term paper deals with the play "A Raisin in the Sun" and how the concept of the American Dream appears in the play. It will be discussed if working hard is enough to reach one’s American Dream.

The play is written by Lorraine Hansberry and published in 1958. It takes place in the south of Chicago where the Younger family lives and consists of five people from three different generations. Head of the family is Lena, who is mostly called Mama, right after her we got her son Walter Lee, who will be presented in the main part of this term paper. Besides, there is Walter’s wife Ruth and their son Travis. The last member of the Youngers is Walter’s sister Beneatha. Mama embodies the first generation and is quite traditional. Ruth, Walter and “Bennie” represent the second generation, whereas Travis is the only child in the third generation. The family has been living in America in the fifth generation and has got African roots. It can be said though that Walter, Bennie, Ruth and Travis are less traditional than Mama and identify with the American way of life.

The whole family shares a small apartment in a ghetto and living together is difficult as everybody has got his or her own desire, Dream and point of view about certain topics. Especially Walter Lee expects a lot from life and the reader sympathizes with him. Misunderstood by his family Walter wants to live a better life and represents the concept of the American Dream of a person wanting to “rise from rags to riches”. Walter dreams of an office job and really dislikes being a chauffeur for a white person. He wants his son to go to the best schools and to get the best education as possible. Furthermore, he also wants to spoil his wife and get himself a nice car. But why does he fail? Why does nobody in his family support his idea of raising an own business, namely opening a liquor store? Beneatha is not even surprised about Walter’s failure. These questions shall be answered in the main part of this paper. Moreover, I quickly want to present the concept of the American Dream, especially focusing on the Dream of “Upward Mobility”.

Extracto

Introduction
"From rags to riches"- What is the American Dream?
Two individual American Dreams
- Walter Lee's failure of his personal American Dream
- Benjamin Franklin's success- a brief comparison between him and Walter
Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This term paper examines the concept of the American Dream as portrayed in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, questioning whether hard work alone suffices to achieve it. The paper analyzes the contrasting experiences of Walter Lee Younger and Benjamin Franklin to illustrate the complexities and challenges inherent in pursuing this ideal.

The definition and multifaceted nature of the American Dream
The role of hard work and ambition in achieving upward mobility
The impact of social and economic factors on individual success
A comparative analysis of Walter Lee Younger's failure and Benjamin Franklin's success
Exploring the "rags to riches" narrative within the context of racial inequality

Chapter Summaries

Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper, outlining its focus on the American Dream as depicted in A Raisin in the Sun and the question of whether hard work alone guarantees its attainment. It introduces the Younger family, highlighting their circumstances and the individual aspirations of its members, particularly Walter Lee's desire for upward mobility. The chapter establishes the central conflict and the contrasting perspectives within the family regarding the meaning and attainability of the American Dream, laying the groundwork for a detailed exploration of these themes in subsequent chapters.

"From rags to riches"- What is the American Dream?: This chapter delves into the historical and multifaceted concept of the American Dream. It begins by defining the term as introduced by James Truslow Adams, emphasizing the lack of a singular definition and highlighting various interpretations, such as upward mobility, homeownership, and fulfilling life. The chapter explores the historical evolution of the American Dream, tracing its roots to the Declaration of Independence and examining its connection to economic success and social class. It also considers how factors like race, segregation, social capital, and family structure impact the opportunities for upward mobility, laying the groundwork for comparing the experiences of Walter Lee and Benjamin Franklin.

Two individual American Dreams: This chapter serves as the core of the paper, presenting a comparative analysis of Walter Lee Younger and Benjamin Franklin. It profiles Walter Lee's aspirations and his failure to achieve his version of the American Dream, exploring the reasons behind his setbacks. The chapter then juxtaposes Walter Lee's experience with that of Benjamin Franklin, a quintessential example of a "self-made man," highlighting the factors that contributed to Franklin's success and the differences between his approach and that of Walter Lee. This comparison aims to illuminate the diverse factors that contribute to or hinder the achievement of the American Dream.

Keywords

American Dream, upward mobility, A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry, Walter Lee Younger, Benjamin Franklin, social class, racial inequality, hard work, ambition, success, failure.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Raisin in the Sun and the American Dream

What is the main topic of this paper?

This paper examines the concept of the American Dream as depicted in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, focusing on whether hard work alone is sufficient to achieve it. It analyzes the contrasting experiences of Walter Lee Younger and Benjamin Franklin to illustrate the complexities involved.

What are the key themes explored in the paper?

The paper explores the multifaceted nature of the American Dream, the role of hard work and ambition, the impact of social and economic factors on individual success, and a comparative analysis of Walter Lee Younger's failure and Benjamin Franklin's success within the context of racial inequality. The "rags to riches" narrative is also critically examined.

What is the structure of the paper?

The paper is structured into an introduction, a chapter exploring the definition and historical evolution of the American Dream, a comparative analysis of Walter Lee Younger and Benjamin Franklin, and a conclusion. Each chapter offers a detailed exploration of the themes introduced in the introduction.

How does the paper define the American Dream?

The paper acknowledges the lack of a single definition, referencing James Truslow Adams' introduction of the term. It highlights interpretations including upward mobility, homeownership, and a fulfilling life. The paper also explores how factors like race, segregation, and social capital influence opportunities for achieving the American Dream.

How does the paper compare Walter Lee Younger and Benjamin Franklin?

The paper uses a comparative analysis of Walter Lee Younger's failure and Benjamin Franklin's success to illuminate the diverse factors contributing to or hindering the achievement of the American Dream. It explores the reasons behind Walter Lee's setbacks and contrasts them with the factors contributing to Franklin's success.

What is the role of racial inequality in the paper's analysis?

Racial inequality is a significant factor in the paper's analysis, particularly in understanding Walter Lee Younger's struggles. The paper explores how systemic racism and social structures impacted his opportunities and his ability to achieve his version of the American Dream.

What are the main conclusions of the paper?

(Note: The provided text does not explicitly state the conclusions, but based on the structure and themes, the conclusion likely summarizes the comparative analysis of Walter Lee and Benjamin Franklin, highlighting the complexities of the American Dream and the limitations of focusing solely on hard work as a path to success, especially for marginalized groups.)

What are the keywords associated with this paper?