Langston Hughes, a prolific poet during the Harlem Renaissance, knew the importance of dreams. Although he saw the dreams of several Harlem residents, crumble during the wake of World War II, he continued to celebrate the spirit of the African American community through an abundance of poems. His poem "Harlem" questions what happens to dreams when they don't come true. A Raisin in the Sun takes place in the slums of Chicago post World War II. While World War II was over, the war against racism is still being fought between black and white Americans, which put a strain on the family dynamics of the Younger family, both financially and emotionally. Still, the Youngers manage to make the best of a bad situation in their cramped apartment, with their dreams being the only thing keeping their spirit afloat. Every member of the family has a dream that is dear to them. Walter's dream is to buy a liquor store so that he can finally make a lot of money for his family, becoming the man he's always wanted to be. Bennie wants to go to medical school to become a doctor. Mama wants a new house with a backyard and garden and for her children to make her happy. And Ruth, Walter's wife, wants nothing more than for her family to be happy and to not worry about money. Mama and Ruth have similar dreams in the aspect of family happiness, but they differ in means of attaining their happiness.
While the family's dreams aren't too much to ask for, the given circumstances make them harder to attain. Following the death of her husband, Mama is expecting a check in the mail for $10,000. Before she can even get her hands on the money, Walter already has his hand out for some. He doesn't take into consideration the plans that Mama already has for the money, which I feel upsets Mama as well as the rest of the family. Early in the play, Mama says, "We was going to set away, little by little, don't you know, and buy a little place out in Morgan Park.
