A New Beginning As many can tell you, life for a minority in the 1950’s was rough considering the strides that had been taken in the name of human and civil rights until that point. Slavery had long ended yet segregation was still common practice in various parts of the United States. Although every American is promised life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it’s apparent how life can be different based on subtle differences from person to person. A Raisin in the Sun gives us a slight glimpse into what life could have been like for a black family during those times. The family in question is the Youngers. They are a small, close knit group who all want to find some sense of security in an unfair world. Lena, Walter, Beneatha and Ruth Younger all have a dream as to how they can escape the life of poverty that they have been living yet it still comes at a significant cost with the death of the patriarch, Mr. Younger. The Youngers are all waiting for his life insurance check of $10,000 to arrive while each member of the family has an idea of how they would like to spend the money. Lena, the matriarch, would like to use the money as a down payment on a house so that her family may have a fresh, new dignified start. The apartment they have been living in is cramped, worn and dark with no room to grow for their expanding family just like Lena’s house plant that receives just enough light and energy to stay alive despite the conditions facing it. Walter, Lena’s son, on the other hand wants to use the money to invest in a liquor store with his friend Willy Harris therefore ending their financial worries forever. While Walter sees a chance to capture some financial security for his family, Lena on the other hand sees this as a chance to keep their family together. She knows that it is more than just a house that will allow them to escape their dark dwelling. Their home is the main link that keeps together as it seems it’s one of the few things they have that can be counted on. When Lena finally decides to use the money for a house, they decide to purchase one in Clybourne Park, an all-white neighborhood. When word spreads that a black family is moving into the neighborhood, Mr. Linder from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association is dispatched to offer the Youngers money in exchange for moving out. He states that the neighbor believes that, “…Negro families are happier when they live in their own community.” (Hansberry 407) Instead of taking the easy way out, they decide to stick together as family in what could potentially be a hostile environment. Yet, despite this, the Youngers still seem somewhat content with the prospect of their new lives as they know it means a bright, new beginning as opposed to the shady dwelling they were so used to. Even as their family faced an uncertain future, Lena helped coral her family together by using their new house as a central point. Hansberry emphasized this by highlighting the differences between the dark, cramped apartment and their bright, new home. As the family is leaving the apartment for the last time towards a very uncertain future, it can be said that even though they couldn’t achieve their individual dreams, their collective dream of staying together as a family was fulfilled.