A Raisin in the Sun

1. A Raisin in the Sun Background Information

2. American Dream • What is it? • Is it an idea or does it involve material things? • Ethnic, social, economic implications

3. “A Dream Deferred” What happens to a dream deferred?Does it dry upLike 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 sagslike a heavy load.Or does it explode?- Langston Hughes

4. Performance Task

5. A Note on the Title • Lorraine Hansberry took the title of A Raisin in the Sun from a line in Langston Hughes’s famous 1951 poem “Harlem.” • “Harlem” captures the tension between the need for black expression and the impossibility of that expression because of American society’s oppression of its black population. • In the poem, Hughes asks whether a “dream deferred”—a dream put on hold—withers up “like a raisin in the sun.”

6. More on the title • His lines confront the racist and dehumanizing attitude prevalent in American society before the civil rights movement of the 1960s. • Hansberry’s reference to Hughes’s poem in her play’s title highlights the importance of dreams in A Raisin in the Sun and the struggle that her characters face to realize their individual dreams, a struggle tied to the more fundamental black dream of equality in America.

7. Civil Rights Movement • What was the Civil Right Movement? • What was the goal of this movement? • Were there any other movements during the period?

8. Social Background • Published in 1959, four years after Rosa Parks’ was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a bus, sparking the Civil Rights Movement, Hansberry’s play illustrates black America’s struggle to gain equal access to opportunity and expression of cultural identity.

9. Sentiments in A Raisin… will be echoed by MLK in later speeches, marches, and rallies Martin Luther King, Jr.Civil-Rights Leader 1929-1968 I have a dream… a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’

10. Cont’d dreams represented in the play and later echoed by King • I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. • I have a dream…where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

11. MLK • How does King help to develop the idea of the American Dream? • What does he do to the existing American Dream?

12. Lorraine Hansberry • Born May 19, 1930 in Chicago • Died of cancer at the age of 34 • Daughter of a prominent real-estate broker and the niece of a Harvard University professor of African history • A Raisin in the Sun - first play

13. A Raisin in the Sun • Originally title “A Crystal Stair” from another Langston Hughes’ poem • First production in 1959 • Known as the "movin’ on up" morality play of the 1960s • Morality play - It uses allegorical characters to teach the audience moral lessons

14. Plot Basics • explores the struggles of ordinary people to achieve their desires • the story of the Youngers, a Southside Chicago family trying to survive in cramped quarters. • When Mama gets a $10,000 check from her husband's life insurance, they consider moving to a larger house in a white suburb.

15. Lena Younger (Mama) – God-fearing mother of Walter, refuses to give up in the face of adversity Walter Lee Younger – 35-year-old chauffeur who longs to improve himself to reap the same rewards that white people enjoy Ruth – Walter’s humble and devoted wife Beneatha – Walter’s 26-year-old sister, articulate and ambitious college student, hopes to become a physician Travis – Walter and Ruth’s son, friendly boy of 10 or 11 Mr. Lindner - white man who attempts to prevent the Youngers from moving into his neighborhood Cast of Characters

16. Joseph Agasai – cultured, well-spoken Nigerian who courts Beneatha George Murchison – rich Chicagoan who also courts Beneatha Bobo – Walter’s friend, they plan to open a liquor store Willy – Walter and Bobo's business partner, runs off with Walter and Bobo's money (Willy has no speaking part in the play)  Furniture Mover – comes to the Youngers' apartment to move their belongings to their new house   Cast of Characters

17. What is a theme?

18. Themes • Faith • Family • Compromise • Evils of racial prejudice • Money can’t buy happiness • Importance of dreams

19. What is a symbol?

20. Symbols • Mama’s plant • Kitchen window • Fifty cents, one dollar • New House and garden