How does the play illustrate the theme of the poem "Harlem"?

The
primary theme of Langston Hughes's celebrated poem "Harlem" concerns the nature of
deferred dreams regarding the plight of African Americans. The title of Hansberry's classic play
is taken from Langston Hughes's suggestion that one's deferred dreams could dry up "like a
raisin in the sun." The play incorporates the same primary theme concerning the hopes and
dreams of oppressed, discriminated African Americans. In , Hansberry
examines the various dreams of a struggling African American family living in the impoverished
South Side.

Each member of the Younger family has different dreams regarding
how to spend 's ten thousand dollar insurance check. Lena wishes to purchase a new home,
whileJr. wants to buy a liquor business anddesires a college education. Their different dreams
lead to conflict among them, and they are forced to confront their fears of not attaining their
separate dreams after Walter Jr.'s shady business partner steals the majority of the
money.

The familys dreams are temporarily deferred after the money is stolen,
and they are forced to set aside their differences in order to find stability. Similar to
Hughes's poem, their dreams dry up "like a raisin in the sun." In the end, Walter Jr.
refuses to sell Lena's new home back to the white community, and the family remains united in
the face of opposition.