Pursuing the American Dream Essay Example

She wants to make a difference in life by becoming a doctor, but Walter thinks her dreams are too farfetched. Consequently, Beneatha sarcastically apologizes, “And forgive me forever wanting to be anything at all”. Beneatha is determined and she stands up for her want to be a doctor.

Beneatha gets back at her brother when he loses the money. She mocks him by saying, “Did you dream of yachts on Lake Michigan, Brother? ”Through this mocking, she disguises the disappointment of having her dream destroyed and not being able to stop it. Finally, Mama has a dream. She wants what she believes is best for her family, and that is why she gets a nicer house. She wants to keep her husband’s dream alive, and she tells us that, “Yes, a fine man – just couldn’t catch up with his dreams, that’s all”.

Big Walter never had the chance to achieve his dreams, but it is his death that allows his children to try to achieve their dreams. Mama remembers her husband and says, “Big Walter used to say, he’d get right wet in the eyes sometimes, lean his head back with the water standing in his eyes and say, ‘Seem like God didn’t see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams – but He did give us children to make them dreams seem worthwhile''. Mama’s dreams are not for her but are for her children. She reminds us of the sacrifice parents make for their children.