Essay Database

Some critics of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun have said, "The members of the Younger family have unrealistic and unattainable dreams." This is quite an accurate statement about these characters. Hansberry's views shown in this play were radical at the time it was produced; therefore, the characters had dreams that were unattainable during that time. A Raisin in the Sun is set in the 1950s, which is essential to the argument that the …

…ars later, they would not be so far-fetched. Hansberry succeeded in writing a revolutionary portrayal of an African-American family, and helped start the wheels of change. At the time, the aspirations of the Younger family were unattainable, but when the audiences saw this, it probably inspired them to make the changes necessary so these characters could be happy. For this, Americans should thank Hansberry, and look at the idealistic dreams in a more positive light.