Opposite Takes on the “American Dream” in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman Kevin Andrew Fagan College

Money is one way to achieve one of the “American Dreams.” The “American Dream” is different for everyone and that dream for most people depends on how they were raised. There are many plays that critique the “American Dream” but only two will be focused on, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman; these two plays have opposite views of the “American Dream” and two very different families. Miller’s play presents a very pessimistic view of the “American Dream” and perhaps all the “American Dream” is just a myth and can no longer be achieved. Lorraine Hansberry’s play on the other hand presents a play in which shows that the “American Dream” is alive and can be achieved, achieved by anyone. A Raisin in the Sun presents an optimistic view of the future and the “American Dream.”

Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun deals with an African-American family in the ghetto of Chicago. The Youngers receive a life insurance check for 10,000 dollars. Each member of the family has their own idea of how the money should be spent. Walter Lee wants to invest in getting a liquor store; in theory this would help his family improve their future. Lena Younger, along with Ruth Younger, wish to buy a...