A Raisin in The Sun

A Raisin in The Sun
Introduction
Regents English Prep Online
The Author- Lorraine
Hansberry
(May 19, 1930 January 12, 1965) Note: She
died young of pancreatic cancer at just 34 yrs
old.
She grew up in Southside Chicago as the
youngest of four children.
Her parents were activists.
She moved to New York to pursue writing
career.
Wrote the first drama written by an African
American woman and produced on Broadway,
age 29.
Raisin in the Sun is by far her best known
work.
HANSBERRY V. LEE
In 1937, businessman Carl Hansberry, Lorraine's father,
defied the local property association by purchasing a home
in a white neighborhood.
After losing in state court, the case was brought to the US
Supreme Court.
In a crucial decision in segregation, the US Supreme Court,
on November 13, 1940, ruled in Hansberry v. Lee that
whites cannot bar African Americans from white
neighborhoods.
The decision focused on the legal technicalities, instead of
the segregation issue.
Though victors in the Supreme Court, Hansberry's family
was subjected to what Hansberry would later describe as a
"hellishly hostile white neighborhood."
A Raisin in the Sun
Debuted in 1959, prior to the Civil Rights
Movement
Received the New York Drama Critics
Circle Award for Best Play of the Year
(Hansberry was the youngest, 5th woman
and only black playwright at the time to
win the reward.)
According to James Baldwin (African
American writer/phiolsopher), the play
received such acclaim from the African
American community because "'never
before in American theater history has
so much of the truth of black people's
lives been seen on stage'"
Overview of the Play
The play is essentially about dreams,
taking its title from the Langston
Hughes poem Harlem
Each member of the household has a
separate dream.
As the play develops, tensions rise as
each family member comes in to
conflict with each other as the limited
resources of the family cannot
support all of the family members
dreams.
Setting
Southside Chicago -1950s
Housing was a constant issue, as the
growing African American population
was crammed in to a small part of the
city known as the black belt of the
Southside.
Landlords took advantage by chopping
up apartment buildings and cramming
more people in to each building.
Crime rates increased, quarrels over
shared kitchens and bathrooms caused
tremendous strain.
African-Americans had traditionally been
last to be hired, first to be fired after
World War II resulting in unstable
incomes and more poverty.
Themes
Segregation/Poverty
The character of Mr. Lindner is a reminder of the kind cruelty of
segregation. He represents the homeowners association of the
predominantly white neighborhood where the Youngers are planning
to move.
The Value and Purpose of Dreams
Each character consistently is struggling against the very limited
financial resources of the family to achieve their dreams. Although
their ambition drives them. It is also a source of anxiety and
depression as it becomes apparent each family member may not
achieve their dream.
Family
Although the different members are in conflict with each other
throughout the play, they also express love for each other throughout
the play.
Walter
Walter is both the major protagonist of the play, but also acts
as an antagonist at times as he is often angry and quick to
temper.
Walter (and his frustrations) represents the struggle of the

common African-American man to provide financially for his
family with limited opportunities.
Initially he struggles to see the value of other family members

ability to contribute to the advancement of the family.
His dream is to own a liquor store.
Mama
Walter and Beneathas mother and head of the

household.
She demands each member to respect themselves

and to take pride in their dreams.
Represents some Christian and traditional ideals.
Her dream is to own a house with a garden.

Beneatha
Beneatha challenges both racial and gender stereotypes and
prejudices.
She is dating two men who seem to represent the split

identity of African-Americans. She is most cheerful with her
Nigerian boyfriend Joseph Asagai. George seems more
interested in assimilating in to American culture, while
Joseph allows and encourages Beneatha to rediscover her
African heritage.
Her dream of becoming a doctor signals her ambition and

her desire to be independent.
Ruth
Ruth, married to Walter, is a housewife and represents some
of the stereotypical images of 1950s women.
She works in more wealthy white homes to help deal with the
financial difficulties of the family.
Ruth supports her husband but is up to countering him when

he gets out of the line.
Her pregnancy illustrates the financial stress of the family as

she considers an abortion.
Title Poem
Harlem
By Langston Hughes 19021967 Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Enjoy the Play!

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What is the historical context surrounding the author and her work?

What are the main themes explored in the play?

A Raisin in The Sun

Walter (and his frustrations) represents the struggle of the

Initially he struggles to see the value of other family members

Walter and Beneathas mother and head of the

She demands each member to respect themselves

Represents some Christian and traditional ideals.

Her dream is to own a house with a garden.

She is dating two men who seem to represent the split

Her dream of becoming a doctor signals her ambition and

Ruth supports her husband but is up to countering him when

Her pregnancy illustrates the financial stress of the family as

What happens to a dream deferred?

Maybe it just sags

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