They Didn't Live Happily Ever After

In every story I have read as a child, whether it was a fairytale or piece of realistic fiction, the characters always ended up accomplishing their dreams or living happily ever after. While these beautiful endings may be satisfying to the readers, they ignore the harsh realities behind the sugarcoated facade. In the end, achieving an item or a material or even a person does not guarantee happiness no matter how much you idolize it or strive for it.

Such is true in the case of the Youngers. All of them have their own individual dreams. Walter wishes to to be successful and rich and respected by the people around him. Ruth just wants to have a stable family with a good loving environment. Mama's dream is to live in a nice house and neighborhood. Beneatha wants to make an impact in the world by becoming a female doctor and accepting her culture. In the end, all of them achieve some semblance of their dreams: Ruth and Mama both end up living in a nice house with a good environment and Walter ends up making his investment while Beneatha learns to love her African roots. However their dreams are shattered and they are brought back to reality when Walter is scammed and his money is stolen. Additionally the threat of the so called welcoming committee and how "[people's hearts] just can't be [changed]" along with the never-ending racism and segregation. Although everyone strives toward their dream, the final result is total a nightmare. They lose the insurance money and along with it the hard work and life of Walter Sr. They receive the house but also take in the racism and terror that the white community may hurt them.