Analysis Of Bruce Norris s The Play - 1306 Words

In the play Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris, there is a deep contrast in the achievement of the American dream as seen in A Raisin in the Sun. Despite Norris play being inspired by Hansberry’s 1959 classic, his play gave the perception of white people and how they view the other races in America. Norris, who is white, illustrates that race is a subject that should be freely discussed. The play that is set in two acts that are 50 years apart portrays the American dream of the middle class Americans (Norris 26). The American dream for this people is to have the power of being elite on grounds of their color. In the play, Norris portrayed the white people as hypocrites. After getting a house in the suburbs where they are assured of no†¦show more content†¦This also adds to the point that the white people of Clybourne were hypocrites because they acted as if black people made them uncomfortable (Norris 87). In light of this, it is also important to note that the white peo ple behaved as racists because they felt like their territory, Clybourne Park, had been threatened. This entitlement is part of the reason the whites value the achievement of the American dream. In A Raisin in the Sun, a stronger will to achieve the American dream is portrayed by each of the characters in their way. This is because despite their race, in each member of the Younger s family lies in the dreams and aspirations for a better life. It is important to note that although each character has his or her perspective on what a better life is, it is not confined to their race since the underlying motivation is the same to everyone. Mama, for instance, is a single parent after the death of her husband. At the beginning of the play, she is portrayed as the head of the family although she would prefer it if the head were a man (Hansberry 21). Her dream is that her son Walter will mature up and take over the role of heading the family. In addition, she also has big dreams for her deceased husband insurance money. She plans to invest the money for the benefit of her whole family instead of spending it on herself. From a long line