When I first started reading this play I wasn't sure if I would be able to relate to an African American family in the 1950's. However once I got a few pages into the play I understood that it didn't really matter that the family was African American. Their struggle to obtain their own "American dream" can be understood by people of all nationalities, genders, and religions.
In the first scene of the first act the audience learns about three of the characters dreams. Mama or Lena's dream is to own a house. This is a typical part of most people's dreams. A house is important because it's something you own. You can personalize it anyway you wish. It would be especially good for her family because they would have more room and would not have to share a bathroom with other families. Mama would really like to have a garden and having a piece land would allow her to grow the plants that she has been dreaming about. In the meantime Mama keeps a plant in a pot on the ledge of their only window. The plant is struggling to make it even though Mama keeps a close eye on it. I think this is a reference to the dreams of her family. They all posses their own dreams, but as each day passes it becomes harder to keep them alive.
Beneatha's dream is to become a doctor. Not only is this ambitious because of her race, but also because she is a woman. It doesn't make it easier that nobody in her family really believes in her. She has to have a strong will because there is no way she could make it with her family telling her to give up all the time. She is different from the rest of her family because she is the only one who has been to college. Unlike the rest of her family she is interested in learning about the world and what makes it work.
Walter, Beneatha's brother, has his own dream. His dream, which he got from one of his friends, is to open a liquor store. Walter is convinced that opening the store will make him lots of money. Deep down Walter wants to provide for his family like the man of the house should. Walter hopes that Mama will give him part of the check to invest in the store.
I think their dreams are all relevant to the society the story is set it. Some parts of them even transcend time and are relevant today. I believe that people will always want to provide for their family. It is human nature to want your family to have everything they want and need.
I also believe however that the "American Dream" changes. The quintessential two story house on an acre of land with a white picket fence and a car in the driveway does not really apply to today's society. This is at least the case for me. I think because I've grown up with a nice house, multiple cars, and plenty of food and clothes that my dream is much different. In a sense my standards are set higher. Instead of just any house I would prefer a 3,000 square foot house on 20 acres out in the country. This kind of goes back to the way that parents want to give their kids more than they had growing up. If the trend continues then the the American Dream will continue to change.
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