Posted by Michael Addy (66.205.140.92) on June 22, 2005 at 9:21:50 p.m.:
In Reply to: A Raisin in the Sun and "Harlem" Wednesday Discussion posted by Jeanne Guerin on June 21, 2005 at 12:57:24 p.m.:
The poem "Harlem (A Dream Deferred)" by Langston Hughes, and "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry parallel each other in many ways. The poem is posing questions about what happens to a dream that is shot down while the play acts as an example of a dream deffered. The families dream of moving up and Walter's dream of becoming successful were consuming their souls and everything they had until their dreams were dismissed by a mistake of Walter's. At the end of the play however, I believe that we see the dream begin to come to fruition. Although none of their dreams besides moving out have been accomplished, with this new resolve of the families, for the first time these dreams can be achieved. In "A Raisin in the Sun" I believe that in order for the family to ever reach their goals that it was a necessary experience to have this crisis happen. As a growing experience it gave them exactly what they needed in terms of resolve. It was easy for them to be idealistic and dream when the money was about to come in. However, when faced with a decision between the dream and the life they are used to when their morale is gone and they have nothing left, chosing the dream is what gives them victory, resolve, and the opportunity to actually make their dreams a reality.