Hansberry has a fairly positive and optimistic view of the
American Dream. She rightly concedes that for people of color, specifically African-
Americans, there are some challenging factors in terms of race and the social order's
perception of it that make this pursuit challenging. She also accurately depicts that
economic class plays a large role in how one can appropriate their own version of the
American Dream. Yet, she rightly, in my mind, does not lock individuals in these
stratifications from their pursuit of the American Dream. Hansberry's view of the Dream
seems to be that it is difficult and requires a sense of courage with commitment in
order to pursue it. She also suggests that there are many distractions on this voyage
of which one must be vigilant. In this sense, those who are in pursuit of the American
Dream are no different than Homeric characters who must battle through much in way of
adversity on their quest and even then, success is not guaranteed. For each Odysseus,
there are many more Hectors. For each Walter, there might be more Bobos or nosy
neighbors who envy others. In the end, Hansberry believes that the pursuit of the dream
is worth it, in that it allows our own plants to be stronger and better. She is mindful
of Hughes' poem, but offers a vision that might diverge from its last
line.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
What is Hansberry's view on the American Dream and how does the ending of A Raisin in the Sun give evidence towards her vision?
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