The Character- Lena

In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Lena Younger, also known as Mama, dreams of owning a home where her family can live comfortably and build a better future. For Mama, the American Dream means having stability, dignity, and something to pass down to her children. Her dream has been deferred for years because she and her husband worked hard but continued living in a crowded apartment. This connects to Langston Hughes’ poem “Harlem” because her dream has been delayed by financial struggles and racial inequality.

Mama finally has an opportunity to achieve her dream when she receives her husband’s life insurance money and uses part of it for a down payment on a house in Clybourne Park. However, buying the house does not remove every obstacle. Karl Lindner offers the family money to keep them from moving into the white neighborhood, showing how racism limits their access to the American Dream. By the end of the play, the family chooses to move despite this pressure. Mama’s dream begins to become a reality, although their future is still uncertain.

I believe Mama’s pursuit is selfless because she wants the house to benefit her entire family. She wants Travis to have room to grow and her children to have better opportunities. Although owning a home is something she personally desires, her goal goes beyond her own happiness. Her dream shows that the American Dream can mean creating a better life for the people you love.

I chose Lena Younger to Write About.

Writing Prompt: Dreams and dreams deferred are major themes of the play, A Raisin in the Sun. It takes inspiration and its title from a line in Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem," which vividly portrays what happens to dreams deferred. In both works, readers can interpret the dream as the American Dream. Choose ONE character from the play and discuss his/her American Dream--its deferment or realization. Determine whether the character's pursuit is selfless or selfish.

As you ponder on this prompt, certainly consider all the resources made available to you including the articles on the American Dream, James Baldwin and William F. Buckley's 1965 debate, your viewing of the film adaptation of the play, and your own thoughts about the American Dream.

Further questions to consider that may likely guide your response: What is meant by the American Dream? What does the American Dream mean to you? Has the American Dream changed for later generations? Does it mean the same for African Americans as for White Americans and other ethnic groups? Immigrants to the U.S.? What must happen for the dream to come true?

2. Begin with a thesis statement (see Micro Theme template). Paragraph must be 300-500 words.

Specific requirement will be posted for each Micro theme assignment.

3. Use textual evidence in the development of each answer, providing MLA style and documentation.

Be mindful that I expect a thorough, well-developed response that exhibits a critical perspective on the text(s). Avoid simply paraphrasing the passages. You are allowed to reference other occurrences in the text to support your assertions. Please limit your response to a minimum of 300 words and a maximum of 500. This is an analysis, not a summary. Read the documents in the Writing Resources module (second one posted), particularly "Summary vs. Analysis," "Writing a Literary Analysis Paper," and "Writing about Literature."