Langston Hughes raised the question, "What happens to a dream deferred"" in his famous poem, "Montage of a Dream Deferred." A dream deferred, or a goal that is postponed, has several possible fates. It could totally disintegrate or combust, be painful or be a weight on one's shoulders. All of these possibilities are revealed in Lorraine Hansberry's renowned play, A Raisin in the Sun. But no matter how difficult life may become for the characters, Lorraine Hansberry always creates hope. This constant glimpse of hope reveals Ms. Hansberry's "profound faith in mankind."

A Raisin in the Sun is evidence of Lorraine Hansberry's great faith in mankind by turning all the family's mistakes and tribulations into positive learning experiences. Ruth exhibits this when she and Walter are arguing about how they have lost the love in their relationship. She begins to find a solution to their disconnection when she...