Dreams In A Raisin In The Sun

Deferred dreams: dreams that have persistently been put on hold. Langston Hughes once said, “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” A Raisin in the Sun illustrates what happens to people when their dreams, aspirations, and hopes have been put off. Everybody has dreams that keep them going through the hardest of times; this is evident in various characters throughout the play. When this hope is taken away or put off it is clear that people explode. In Lorraine Hansberry 's play, A Raisin in the Sun, the characters of Mama, Walter, and Beneatha are faced with discriminatory housing restrictions, gender inequality, and gender stereotypes that defer their dreams and cause angst amongst the Younger

In A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha questions Mama and Ruth, ¨I just want to learn to play the guitar. Is there anything wrong with that?” (Hansberry 47). Beneatha has tried out a myriad of vehicles to find her happiness. Her family does not understand why she wants to play the guitar. They continually ask her why she cannot just be someone who stays at home. Beneatha wants more for herself. She feels that she deserves to do what makes her happy. With that in mind, Beneatha asserts, ¨...but first I 'm going to be a doctor, and George, for one, still thinks that 's pretty funny. I couldn 't be bothered with that. I am going to be a doctor and everybody around here better understand that!”(Hansberry 50). Beneatha is a headstrong woman who speaks only truth. She does not care what others think. Beneatha has a dream and is not going to let anybody stop her. She blatantly tells her family that she is going to be a doctor and that there is nothing they can do about it. Beneatha knows the harsh reality of her dream: women are not doctors. Beneatha is not going to let these stereotypes break her. As Aretha Franklin writes, ¨All I’m asking for is for a little respect….just a little bit” (Aretha Franklin Lyrics). Beneatha has the worst of all odds going against her, a black young woman during the 1960s. Similar to Aretha Franklin, Beneatha just wanted respect. She wants respect from all people, men and women. ¨Respect¨ was the anthem for women of all races. Not only were black women fighting for equality, they were fighting for freedom of all women. Women wanted to right to vote and be able to be equal to men. Beneatha is fighting both of those battles. All she is asking for is some respect to do what makes her happy. Overall, Beneatha acts the way she does because she believes that she deserves respect. Aretha Franklin 's, ¨Respect” is a song that resonates