A Raisin in the Sun is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry. The main focus of the play is the American dream. The American dream is the conception of a better life. Each of the play's main characters has their own idea of ​​what they consider a better life. A Raisin in the Sun highlights the importance of dreams regardless of life's various oppressive struggles. First, in A Raisin in the Sun Walter is an example of someone struggling to achieve their dream or desire. Walter serves as the hero and villain of the play because of the actions he takes regarding his dream. "Walter, a firm believer in the American dream of economic independence, wants to own his own business and liquor store because he despairs over what he perceives as his inability to support his family and provide for his son's future" ( __ __ ). Walter's dream is to be the only one to provide for his family and give his family a better life. He plans to do this through an investment in a liquor store with the insurance money given to Mom by Big Walter's death. “In the play Walter loses much of the insurance money he planned to invest in a liquor store to a swindler” ( ___ ___ ). Walter's decision to invest in a liquor store turns out to be a horrible choice. In the play, although Walter is sadly deceived and despised due to the liquor store's ambition, he makes up for it in the end by finally achieving his manhood. During the time of the show the husband of the family is mostly the sole breadwinner of the family. In the case of the play, Walter's mother is the family's sole supporter. Walter aspires to be “the man” of the house. “A job. (He looks at her) Mom, a job? I open and close my car doors all day. I take a man around in his limousine and say, “Yes, sir; no, sir; very good, sir; Should I take the Drive, sir?” Mom, that's not a job. It's really nothing. (Very softly) Mom, I don't know if I can make you understand” ( Hansberry , p. 73). “Walter downplays a driver's position because for him it diminishes his manhood and sense of individual worth.