revision into student voice, keeping it the same expericences

Dreams, Family, and the American Dream: Understanding A Raisin in the Sun in Context

Taisha Alexandre
ENG 101
Professor __________
May 23, 2026

Preface

Langston Hughes, "Harlem"

Gwendolyn Brooks, "kitchenette building"

Expansion of the Black Belt Map

Restrictive Covenant Standard Form

Photographs of Chicago’s South Side

Sam Cooke, "A Change Is Gonna Come"

Works Cited

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun has been one of the most meaningful works I have read this semester because it made me reflect on my own family's experiences and the sacrifices that are often made to create a better future. After reading the play, I found myself connecting to the Younger family's struggles with money, housing, and trying to achieve their dreams despite all obstacles. Their story reminded me that many families, including my own, have faced challenges while holding on to hope and praying for something better.
One of the characters I connected with the most was Mama. She reminded me of my grandmother, who immigrated to the United States and worked hard to provide opportunities not only for her children but for her entire family. My grandmother came to this country with very little and built a life through determination, sacrifice, and faith. She helped raise not only her own children but also grandchildren, and other relatives, and anyone who needed support. Like Mama, she believed that family came first and that success was measured by how much you could help others.
The play also made me reflect on my own journey. As a parent who returned to college while balancing work, family responsibilities, and everyday life, I understand what it feels like to pursue a dream while facing financial and personal challenges. There have been times when I questioned whether all the sacrifices I've made have been worth it and if I should give up, just as some members of the Younger family question whether their dreams will ever come true. However, the play reminded me that progress often takes time and that dreams are worth fighting for, even when the path is difficult.
While working on this project, I found myself thinking often about my grandmother. She came to the United States with very little and worked extremely hard to provide for her children, grandchildren, and many others in our family. Her strength, resilience, and willingness to sacrifice for others reminded me of Mama throughout the play. Reading A Raisin in the Sun made me appreciate and acknowledge how much previous generations endured so that future generations could have opportunities they never had. It also reminded me that many of the dreams we pursue today are built on the sacrifices of those who came before us.
The sources included in this anthology helped me better understand the historical realities behind the play, including segregation, housing discrimination, poverty, and the struggle for equal opportunities. At the same time, they helped me see how many of these themes are still relevant today. Through this anthology, I wanted to show how A Raisin in the Sun is not only a story about one family in 1950s Chicago, but also a story about resilience, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a better life.

Langston Hughes's poem 'Harlem' helped me better understand the theme of deferred dreams in A Raisin in the Sun. The poem questions what happens when dreams are constantly postponed, which is something many characters in the play experience. Walter dreams of financial success, Beneatha dreams of becoming a doctor, and Mama dreams of owning a home. And for me, returning to college while working and raising a child has sometimes forced me to delay my own goals. Like the Younger family, I continue making sacrifices because I know the hard work will eventually lead to a better future for my kids and I. A quotation from the play that connects to this source is 'Seem like God didn't see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams.' This source reminded me that even when dreams take longer than expected, the color of your skin should not define your growth; continuing to work toward them is what keeps hope alive.

Gwendolyn Brooks's poem 'kitchenette building' helped me to understand the living conditions of the Younger family. The poem describes how people living in crowded apartments often spend their time worrying about survival instead of chasing their dreams. This reminded me of stories my family shared about living in crowded homes after immigrating to the United States. Some of their dreams had to be put aside in favor of immediate needs like paying bills and supporting family members. The poem helped me understand why owning a home represented so much more than comfort to Mama. It represented stability, dignity, and opportunity. A quotation from the play that connects to this source is 'Honey, life don't have to be like this.' Reading this poem made me appreciate the sacrifices families make every day to create better opportunities for future generations.

The Expansion of the Black Belt map helped me better understand the housing challenges African American families faced in Chicago. The map shows how segregation limited where Black families could live and created overcrowded neighborhoods. This source reminded me of my family's migration experience and the sacrifices that came with starting over in a new place. My grandparents often lived with extended family members while trying to build a better life. Like the Younger family, they faced challenges but continued to work toward greater opportunities. A quotation from the play that connects to this source is 'We was going backwards 'stead of forwards.' It helped me understand that the struggle for housing and opportunity is something many families, including my own, have experienced in different ways.

The Restrictive Covenant Standard Form helped me better understand the racism behind housing discrimination in A Raisin in the Sun. These legal documents were used to prevent Black families from purchasing homes in certain neighborhoods. Learning about these restrictions helped me understand why the Younger family's move was such a courageous decision. Reading this source made me appreciate how hard previous generations fought for opportunities that many people take for granted today. Why buying a home as a black home owner is so important ,It also made me think about the sacrifices my own family made to create opportunities for future generations. A quotation from the play that connects to this source is Lindner's claim that people are happier in 'their own communities.' This source made me appreciate how much courage it takes to challenge barriers and fight for opportunities that others try to deny us that are still happening today.

The photographs of Chicago's South Side helped me better understand the setting of A Raisin in the Sun. The images showed crowded neighborhoods and difficult living conditions. These images helped me visualize the environment in which the Younger family lived every day. The source also reminded me of stories my family has told about making the best of limited resources while trying to build a future and making something out of nothing. The photographs helped me appreciate why Mama's dream of owning a home was so important. A quotation from the play that connects to this source is 'Lord, if this little old plant don't get more sun than it's been getting it ain't never going to see spring again.' The images reminded me that behind every struggle there are families working hard to create a better future for their children. The Family’s goals where to give the children the soft life that did not have.

Sam Cooke's song 'A Change Is Gonna Come' connects me strongly to the themes of hope and perseverance in A Raisin in the Sun. The song describes all the struggles and hardship while maintaining faith that change is possible. This message reflects the experiences of the Younger family as they continue pursuing their dreams despite financial difficulties and racism. The song also connects to my own journey of returning to school and working toward a better future for myself and my child. There are times when balancing everything feels overwhelming, but like the Younger family, I keep moving forward. A quotation from the play that connects to this source is 'There is always something left to love.' Like the Younger family, I continue pursuing my goals because I believe that the sacrifices I make today will create a better future tomorrow.

Brooks, Gwendolyn. "kitchenette building." Poetry Foundation.

Cooke, Sam. "A Change Is Gonna Come." RCA Records, 1964.

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Vintage Books, 1994.

Hughes, Langston. "Harlem." Poetry Foundation.

Expansion of the Black Belt. Course Materials.

Photographs of Chicago's South Side. Course Materials.

Restrictive Covenant Standard Form. Course Materials.