Money is a way to achieve one of the "American Dreams". The “American Dream” is different for everyone, and that dream for most people depends on how they were raised. There are many plays that criticize the “American Dream,” but only two will be the focus of attention: Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun and Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman; these two works have opposing visions of the “American dream” and of two very different families. Miller's work presents a very pessimistic view of the “American Dream” and perhaps the whole “American Dream” is just a myth and can no longer be achieved. Lorraine Hansberry's work instead presents a work in which she demonstrates that the "American dream" is alive and can be achieved, realized by anyone. A Raisin in the Sun presents an optimistic vision of the future and the “American dream.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Lorraine Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun is about an African-American family in the Chicago ghetto. Young receives a $10,000 life insurance check. Each family member has their own idea of ​​how to spend the money. Walter Lee wants to invest in the acquisition of a liquor store; in theory this would help his family improve their future. Lena Younger, together with Ruth Younger, wish to purchase a house with a yard in hopes of leaving the ghetto; this would give Travis, Ruth and Walter's son, a better education outside the ghetto. Walter's sister Beneatha wants to use the money to pay for his college tuition so he can become a doctor. The death of Walter Lee's father is what drives situations throughout the show. Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman features a white, middle-class family struggling to make their way in the world. Willy Loman is the main protagonist of the play and believes that through a good personality and being well-liked one can climb the ladder of life and achieve success. Willy's beliefs were ingrained in his two sons, Biff and Hap; the result of Willy's beliefs has caused one son to fail due to his actions and the other son is on the verge of repeating the same life as Willy. Both works have a strong “American Dream” theme. Hansberry's brings forth an optimistic vision while Miller's play shows a very dark vision of the dream. Walter Lee longs to be more than just another man's chauffeur. He wants more for his wife and son. Walter realizes that he can never be anything more, he can never have a career as a chauffeur, nor can his wife ever have a career as another woman's maid. Insurance money has the ability to alleviate the problem of static. In order for Walter to feel like a man and for Walter to realize his dreams, he must create a business himself. Creating a business will give him stability, money and the certainty of being the breadwinner. Walter is frustrated that he will never achieve this goal, head of the family; his dream is thwarted by his mother because she takes authority more than Walter. Starting a business will alleviate the authority problem and place Walter in the male role. Walter does not want to work for another man, which is in great contrast to what Willy Loman believes. Miller's protagonist, Willy Loman, believes that being well-liked can achieve something in the business world, but he never once mentions owning his own business. Willy only thinks about making a career in the company where he already works. Walter has a bigger dream and knows what it takes. Walter knowsalso that he might fail and even says, “Invest big, bet big, hell, lose big if you have to, you know what I mean” (Raisin 2.1). Walter knows that taking a risk could mean losing everything. Willy represents someone who is stuck in old ways, unwilling to change. Walter should have more difficulty succeeding due to his race, while Willy, in theory, should have no difficulty succeeding. Miller's play presents an America where no one, not even white people, are able to advance. However, Hansberry's play shows that anyone can be successful and achieve the "American Dream." Hansberry's play shows an “American Dream” for all Americans. The social implications are not as great in Miller's work, but the ultimate goal is still happiness. Lee Jacobus argues that A Raisin in the Sun shows all the traditional values ​​of the "American Dream": This play illustrates the American Dream as it is felt not only by African Americans but by all Americans: If you work hard and save your money If you stay true to the right values ​​and hope, then you can buy your own home and have the kind of space and privacy that allows people to live with dignity. (Jacobus 1214) Willy Loman wanted to be well-liked and the Young Ones just wanted to live somewhere with more dignity. The apartment occupied by the Young Ones shows the indecency in which they are surrounded, which alludes to the horrific circumstances surrounding their entire race. As soon as Ruth finds out that her mother has bought a house, she rejoices, "It's my time - to say goodbye - to these damned cracking walls! - and to these marching cockroaches! - and to this cramped little closet that isn't there there has never been a kitchen” (Raisins 2.1)! Living in that place was indecent for them and Ruth had no room of his own; of the living room. The Youngers are worse off than the Lomans; it does not mean that one worked harder than the other, but perhaps the Youngers had a greater motivation and a better understanding of the “American dream”. that the “American Dream” is just a dream and will not always come true, no matter how hard you work. On the other hand there is A Raisin in the Sun which gives reason to believe that the “American Dream” is alive and real. Both Miller's and Hansberry's works have the death of a father which brings hope to both works. In Death of a Salesman Willy believed that life insurance would help his son Biff. Willy makes the ultimate sacrifice because he believes Biff has a better chance of succeeding with money. Biff has the ability to let his full potential shine and step out of his father's shadow. The audience doesn't know what will happen to Biff, but at least there is some hope at the end of the show. In A Raisin in the Sun the death of Walter Sr. gives the young people a chance to make a better life. Walter Sr. worked his entire life for his family to have a better life; his death was the final payment that would allow his family the chance to live their dream. The death gave hope to both families; however, in Miller's play there wasn't much hope until the end, but in Hansberry's play the hope is visible for most of the play. Walter and Ruth talk about getting together and how things don't have to be so hard; speaking of the past Ruth says: “Honey… life doesn't have to be like this. I mean, sometimes people can do things to make things better... you remember how we talked when Travis was born... about the way we were going to live..." (2.1). Ruth and Walter both hoped to realize their dreams and to help create a better future for Travis. 2013.