a raisin in the sun literary analysis essay

A Raisin in The Sun

Introduction to a raisin in the sun.

A Raisin in The Sun is a popular play by Lorraine Hansberry . It was performed for the first time in 1959. Hansberry has borrowed the title from a popular poem by Langston Hughes , “ Harlem .” The play revolves around an African American family living in Chicago who wants to bring improvement in its status through the insurance that their widowed mother, Lena Younger, is going to receive after her husband’s death. All the family members are dreaming of having a better lifestyle after having this amount, but their dreams ended in smoke when the money seems to have gone as easily as it has come.

Summary of A Raisin in The Sun

The play presents the story of a few weeks from the life of the Youngers family, an African American family living in the poor neighborhood of Chicago’s Southern area during the 50s. The play starts with the Youngers discussing how to spend the money they are going to receive from an insurance company after the death of their patriarch. The total amount of the policy is $10,000 to be received through a check. As the money is expected to arrive, all the family members are presenting their individual ideas on how to spend the money carefully not to let it go wasted. Each one of them has an idea. Mama, Lena, the mother of the Youngers, knows the importance of a house, the reason that she insists that they must purchase a house in some good neighborhood.

However, Walter Lee, the male member of the family has his own plans; he wants to make an investment in the liquor business with the partnership of his friend Bobo and Willy, the street- smarts . His optimism about the success of his investment has made him gleeful so much so that he hoodwinks the family by giving the money to Willy for the liquor store investment in his hope to reveal it later when he succeeds. Despite his optimism, he is unable to convince even his own wife who conjoins his mother in having a house of their own. Also, Mama disagrees with the plan because it is against religion. However, she gives the rest of the money to Walter for the business investment on the condition of reserving three thousand dollars for her daughter’s education.

During these two supposedly relieving plans, the female member, Beneatha, Walter’s sister has her own plan of pulling the family out of this mess through the money she wants to use in her medical education. She is the representation of ‘new woman’ as against the traditional opinion of a female character . Like her name, everyone is beneath her . She was self-centered at the beginning of the playmaking the family sacrifices their desires to accommodate her expensive hobbies, which keep changing from time to time. Her love interests George Murchison, and Joseph Asagai influences her life choices . George was a wealthy black man who tries to ignore the accomplishments of black people and fit into this white-dominated society and a narcissist who shows off in front of Beneatha by talking about intellectual concepts.

Whereas Joseph, a Yoruba student teaches Beneatha the rich culture and heritage of her ancestors in Africa and embraces her identity as a black woman. He later proposes to marry him and go back to Nigeria and continue her medical practice. Beneatha thinks that as the family does not desire to join the world ruled by the white, she resorts to her identity recognition by recalling African heritage at the end of the play.

The competing dreams of the Younger family members make them unable to reconcile with each other. Meanwhile, Ruth , the wife of Walter Lee, comes to know about her pregnancy that she thinks would add to the family’s financial woes. When both husband and wife are considering the abortion, Mama, the matriarchal figure of the house, pays down payment for the purchase of the house. Her idea of having their own residence in Clybourne Park may help the family pull out of poverty . On the other hand, the local people send their representation, Mr. Lindner with an offer for them to stay away from the area by giving them money. This house is located in Clybourne Park, an entirely white neighborhood. When the Youngers refuse, Walter faces the stark reality of losing his investment through his friend, Willy Haris, who has run away with his money. Albeit, the family learns that they lost the money to Willy they refuse to take money from Mr. Linder.

Beneatha also adds to the family problems by rejecting George Murchison and accepting Joseph Asagai who wants her to complete her medical education first. During the breakup with Beneatha, George says that he didn’t show interest in her because they could talk about ‘quiet desperation. Although the family moves to the new house, the future is not safe but they are optimistic about staying united to win success and live a better life.

Major Themes in A Raisin in The Sun  

• The American Dream: The play shows the theme of the American Dream through the Younger family. Each member of the family has a unique dream that they want to materialize with the insurance money of their patriarch. However, the best dream any of them has is of Mama who thinks that having a good house in a decent, white locality would provide a better future to the next generation. Walter’s dream of having a good liquor store, too, is an American Dream, though, it is another thing that he trusts his partner who runs away with it. Similarly, Beneatha’s dream of having a medical degree could be associated with an individual American Dream. However, it is Mama’s American Dream in which lies the dream of everyone; a better house in a better neighborhood, the reason that Walter flatly refuses to budge from his stand later when facing Mr. Lindner.
• Female Identity: The play presents three towering feminine figures in the play; Mama, who is heading the family after the death of her husband and has a claim over her husband’s insurance money, her daughter Beneatha who sees the family future in her own prospect as a medical professional and Ruth, her daughter-in-law who sees the future of her children. All three of them strive against the patriarchal figure of Walter Lee who dreams of becoming a good investor by investing the insurance money in the liquor business with his partner. Although he wastes the money, Mama’s idea of having a house of their own rules supreme in the end. Beneatha also takes the lead by turning away Murchison and challenges Walter’s narrow-mindedness.
• Masculinity: The play shows the theme of masculinity in the debilitating role of Walter Lee when he shirks from his responsibility of taking the lead and helping the family stand up to face the prejudice prevalent in Chicago and economic challenges. Instead, he squanders away the money of his father’s insurance, he feels that his dream of sending his son to college and purchasing a Cadillac were just wishful thinking of a young man. He comes to the point and ultimately rejects Mr. Lindner’s offer of leaving the neighborhood to find some other place for their house for which her mother has already paid.
• African Identity: The theme of African identity in the play, A Raisin in the Sun, is obvious, for it is a play of the Youngers, an African American family, facing prejudice on fulfilling their Mama’s desire of having a house in the white neighborhood. Even before they shift, Mr. Lindner comes to warn them to stay away and makes an offer. This prejudice reminds the Youngers of their background. The arrival of Asagai and Beneatha’s love for him makes it more prominent when she becomes too eager to learn about African heritage.
• Class Differences: The theme of class differences is accentuated when Mama advises all her children that getting a house in the white neighborhood in the city of Chicago is their key to the future. However, Mr. Lindner’s arrival shows them the reality that they can get more money by not raising their status which, in his words, is not moving to their locality. This class difference, in the words of Mr. Lindner, would cause rift and unease in their neighborhood that they do not want. However, the final refusal of Walter Lee is rather an intransigence when the Youngers see this difference as an obstacle to their efforts for their future improvements.
• Significance of Family: The theme of the significance of family has been shown through Mama’s taking lead in thinking that a permanent place at good locality would rather lead to family’s better future than the success of each individual, though it could be that Walter Lee’s investment could also lead to the same success. However, Walter Lee’s stupidity of trusting every individual without consulting the collective family wisdom leads him to squander money rather quickly. The same goes for Beneatha’s case as she is also thinking on individual lines for her medical success only, for if she succeeds it is only her success, while in Mama’s success lies the success of every individual on account of her centrality in the household.
• Marginalization of African Americans: Before the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans were not seen as equals. Mama sees her efforts after receiving her husband’s insurance coming to fruition. However, she is unaware of the strength of the hatred of the white community that it could be strong enough to hinder their move to a better neighborhood. The final intransigence to Mr. Lindner’s suggestion after some thoughts to his lucrative offer in return for their decision of not moving invites second thought of refusal from Walter Lee. It is because he sees it as an effort of marginalization of their family on the basis of racial difference.
• Hopes and Aspirations: The play shows the theme of hopes and aspirations in the dreams of the Youngers. Every Younger individual harbor a dream ; Mama’s dream of having a house in a good neighborhood, Walter Lee’s dream of having a good business to uplift their status, and Beneatha’s dream of having a medical degree. But the fulfillment of the hopes and aspirations of all the Youngers depends on the insurance money. Once it is squandered by Walter Lee, all of them face frustration and disappointment.
• Pride: The theme of pride rules supreme in the play in that the Youngers have little else to lose except their pride. Therefore, when it comes to their pride in having a house, they furiously turn to intransigence toward Mr. Lindner for making them stay away from the locality.
• Lack of Communication: The theme of communication is significant as every individual in the Younger household is unable to communicate what they want to do. Although Walter Lee takes the lead, he also knows that Mama, Beneatha, and even his wife Ruth have failed to understand his investment. This is a lack of communication that none of them could talk or understand each other’s plans or desires.

Major Characters of A Raisin in The Sun

• Walter Lee Younger: Walter Lee Younger is the only patriarch in the family and also the only person to have tried to materialize his dream though without any tangible success. Son of Mama and her late husband, Walter is married to Ruth with two children. His driving job is assisting the family to make both ends meet, while Beneatha is only a helping hand. His only aspiration is to start his business as a liquor store that would grow and change the family fortune. However, his unpredictable behavior causes the loss of business in which his friend, Willy, steals the invested money, and the only hope of the family of having a patriarch leading the way ends up in smoke.
• Lena Younger (Mama): Mama, the dominating matriarchal figure of the family, is Lena Younger, whose husband, Walter senior, has recently died, leaving for his family a good sum of $10,000 of his insurance policy. Mama’s sanguinity lies in thinking about having a proper house in some good locality that could improve the family fortune. The sanguinity of her suggestion and then the payment of the down payment show significance when Walter Lee sees his money gone with his friend who has fled. Her wisdom has saved them from total failure, and they have something to take a stand against Mr. Lindner’s unjust offer.
• Beneatha Younger: Beneatha Younger is the modern face of the Younger family having innovating thinking and a new philosophical approach toward her own race. She thinks that her medical education could pull the family out of this mess. Her rigors on her speech improvement show its results in her talkativeness. She discusses philosophical ideas of religion, class, race, and education with her fiancé as well as family members. Yet, her American Dream of improving her career seems to be selfish and individualistic.
• Ruth Younger: Ruth is a source of the future generation as Travis’s mother and the wife of Walter Lee. Living in a constant tension of improvised living and poverty has taken years from her life, making her old before her time. Working constantly has kept her busy for a decade yet she does not complain and constantly nudges Walter to do more for their son.
• Joseph Asagai: Asagai is not only the fiancé of Beneatha but he also seems to be her philosophical mentor who fills her mind with new ideas about their rich heritage and racial privilege. His Nigerian roots have made him proud of his race, forcing him to realize Beneatha that she is not from the inferior race. He desires to take her to Nigeria after their marriage.
• George Murchison: Although not superior to Asagai, Murchison is another suiter of Beneatha who constantly courts her and succeeds, too. However, his willingness to be subservient to the white culture does not impress Beneatha much on account of his competitive rather than collaborative approach to life.
• Travis Younger: As the only male child in the household, Travis is suffering from the slackness and stupidity of his father, Walter Lee, who does not have good work and a career. He has had to work to earn money besides playing with the neighboring children. His household life is restricted to the sofa in that dingy, little apartment.
• Mr. Karl Lindner: Mr. Lindner represents not only the white community but also the white thinking about the African American community. His coaxingly threatening warnings fall flat when he confronts Walter and Mama. Although his offer sways his opinion at home, Walter, later, stands up to face him, rejecting his offer.
• Willy Harris: Although Willy Harris is Walter’s friend, he does not appear on the stage and only gets mentioned when he starts a liquor business or runs away with the money.
• Mrs. Johnson: A neighborhood lady, Mrs. Johnson’s significance in the play lies in her persuasion of the family for not leaving the neighborhood.

Writing Style of A Raisin in The Sun

A Raisin in the Sun is written by Lorraine Hansberry. She used the dialect of the African American community that is not only distinct but also pure. The characters speak in their domestic setting and individual style as Beneatha and Asagai show their superior and formal education even in everyday conversation, while Mama, Mrs. Johnson, and Ruth demonstrate their crude language. The diction and tone of the play, too, suit the community, neighborhood as well as main audience . Lorraine mostly turns to irony , sarcasm , and other devices of figurative language to make her dialogs effective.

Analysis of the Literary Devices in A Raisin in The Sun

• Action: The main action of the play comprises the American Dream of the Youngers that they are going to realize on an individual level from the insurance money they are going to get after the death of the patriarch. The rising action occurs when Ruth Walter comes to know about her pregnancy and the falling action occurs when Walter Lee comes to know that his money is gone.
• Anaphora : The play shows examples of anaphora such as, i. Anybody who talks to me has got to be a good-for-nothing loudmouth, ain’t he? And what you know about who is just a good-for-nothing loudmouth? Charlie Atkins was just a “good-for-nothing loudmouth” too, wasn’t he! When he wanted me to go in the dry-cleaning business with him. And now —he’s grossing a hundred thousand a year (Act-I) ii. you just sip your coffee, see, and say easy like that you been thinking ’bout that deal Walter Lee is so interested in, ’bout the store and all, and sip some more coffee, like what you saying ain’t really that important to you— And the next thing you know, she be listening good and asking you questions and when I come home —I can tell her the details. This ain’t no ɻy-by- night proposition, baby. I mean we ɹgured it out, me and Willy and Bobo. iii. You ain’t looked at it and you don’t aim to have to speak on that again? You ain’t even looked at it and you have decided— (Act-II) The examples show the repetitious use of “good-for-nothing”, “sit your coffee” and “You ain’t.”
• Allusion : The play shows good use of different allusions as given in the below examples, i. Asagai—Joseph Asagai. He’s an African boy I met on campus. He’s been studying in Canada all summer. (Act-I) ii. I am from the Clybourne ParkImprovement Association and we have had it brought to our attention at the last meeting that you people—or at least your mother—has bought a piece of residential property at. (Act-II) iii. BENEATHA George Murchison! I wouldn’t marry him if he was Adam and I was Eve! (Act-III) The first example shows the reference to a region, the second to a place in Chicago, and the third to Adam and Eve.
• Antagonist : Walter Lee Younger is the antagonist as well as the protagonist of the play. It is because he not only squanders the money but also becomes a responsible patriarch by the end of the play after he refuses Mr. Lindner’s offer.
• Conflict : The play shows both external and internal conflicts. The external conflict is going on between the Youngers and the economic situation including the white dominance, while the internal conflict is going on in Walter Lee’s mind about his responsibility and his attitude .
• Characters: The play, A Raisin in The Sun, shows both static as well as dynamic characters . Lena Younger and Walter Lee both are dynamic characters as they show a considerable transformation in their behavior and conduct by the end of the play. However, all other characters are static as they do not show or witness any transformation such as Mrs. Johnson, Beneatha, Ruth, Lindner, and even Asagai.
• Climax : The climax in the play occurs when Bobo arrives to inform the Youngers that Willy has run away with their invested money.
• Epigraph : The play shows the use of the epigraph as given in the example below, i. What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a rose – And then run? Does it sink like rotten meat Or crust and sugar over – Like a syrupy sweet? This short extract from the poem of Langston Hughes shows the use of an epigraph.
• Foreshadowing : The play shows many instances of foreshadows as given below, i. You mean you didn’t read ’bout them colored people that was bombed out their place out there. (Act-I) The mention of colored and bombed shows the situation that the Youngers are going to face in the area where they move.
• Hyperbole : The play shows various examples of hyperboles such as, i. So you would rather be Mr. Arnold than be his chauʃeur. So—I would rather be living in Buckingham Palace. (Act-I) ii. I seen one marching out of there like Napoleon yesterday. (Act-I) Both of these examples exaggerate things as Walter cannot be Arnold nor can he live in Buckingham Palace. Also, nobody can be Napoleon.
• Imagery : Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. For example, i. It is morning dark in the living room, TRAVIS is asleep on the make-down bed at center. An alarm clock sounds from within the bedroom at right, and presently RUTH enters from that room and closes the door behind her. She crosses sleepily toward the window. As she passes her sleeping son she reaches down and shakes him a little. At the window she raises the shade and a dusky Southside morning light comes in feebly. She calls a pot with water and puts it on to boil. She calls to the boy, between yawns, in a slightly muffled voice . (Act-I) ii. She cannot help speaking directly to him. An imploring quality in her voice , her manner, makes her almost like a girl now. (II) These two examples show images of light, color, movement, and sound shown in the instructions of the play.
• Irony : The play shows the use of irony when Bobo comes to the Youngers to inform them that Willy has run away with the money, a fact that the audiences are already aware of but the Youngers are not.
• Metaphor : A Raisin in The Sun shows good use of various metaphors as given in the examples below, i. So you would rather be Mr. Arnold than be his chauʃeur. So—I would rather be living in Buckingham Palace. (Act-I) ii. So you butchered up a dream of mine—you—who always talking ’bout your children’s dreams …. (Act-II) iii. You mean you ain’t read ’bout them colored people that was bombed out their place out there?. (Act-II) These examples show that several things have been compared directly in the novel such as the first shows comparing her husband to Mr. Arnold, the second shows comparing Mama to a butcher, and the third shows white people as soldiers throwing bombs at the colored people.
• Mood : The play, A Raisin in The Sun , shows various moods; it starts with quite a realistic and bitter mood but becomes highly sarcastic and critical with the passage of time until it reaches its end which is depressive and serious.
• Motif : Most important motifs of the play are music, money, Beneatha’s hair, and house.
• Protagonist : Walter Lee is the protagonist of the play, A Raisin in The Sun. The reason is that it is he who shows his patriarchal responsibility by the end despite losing money.
• Setting : The setting of the play, A Raisin in The Sun , is the poor neighborhood of the South Side of Chicago.
• Simile : The play shows good use of various similes as given in the examples below, i. About to march out of here with that head looking just like chickens slept in it. (Act-I) ii. I always thinks like Booker T. Washington said that time— “Education has spoiled many a good plow hand”—. (Act-II) iii. Walter Lee, fix your tie and tuck your shirt in, you look like somebody’s hoodlum! (Act-III) These are similes as the use of the word “like” shows the comparison between different things. For example, the first one shows this comparison between the head and the coop, and then between Walter and Washington, and then between Walter’s appearance and that of hoodlums.

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A Raisin in the Sun

Lorraine hansberry, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Dreams possess great importance in A Raisin in the Sun , with the play’s name coming from a 1951 Langston Hughes poem titled Montage of a Dream Deferred . In the poem, part of which serves as the play’s epigraph (a quotation at the beginning of a book that elaborates on its major themes) the poet asks, “What happens to a dream deferred?” pondering whether it shrivels up “like a raisin in the sun” or…

Dignity and Pride

A central virtue in the Younger household, dignity exerts a unifying force throughout the play. Mama expresses pride in her family’s background and tries to instill in her children a sense of respect for their ancestors, who were Southern slaves and sharecroppers. Although some characters, such as Mrs. Johnson , criticize the family as “one proud-acting bunch of colored folks,” the family holds fast to its ancestral dignity, an inheritance it considers to be greater…

Race, Discrimination, and Assimilation

In 1959 much of the United States, including Chicago, remained de facto segregated, meaning that racial segregation persisted in education, employment, and housing even though the Supreme Court had overturned segregation that was established by law as unconstitutional. Set in de facto segregated Chicago, Hansberry’s play draws on stories from the author’s own life, such as her family’s experience with housing discrimination in 1930s Chicago. After moving to a house in an all-white neighborhood, Hansberry’s…

Gender and Feminism

A Raisin in the Sun anticipates the massive changes in gender relations – principally, the rise of feminism and the Sexual Revolution – that would transform American life in the 1960s. Hansberry explores controversial issues like abortion (which was illegal in 1959), the value of marriage, and morphing gender roles for women and men. Each of the Youngers takes a different attitude towards shifting gender roles, and the characters’ perspectives shed light on their identities…

Money provides a constant source of conflict and preoccupation in the Younger household. Within moments of the play’s opening, Walter Lee asks Ruth , “Check coming today?” in reference to the insurance payment that his mother, Lena , is due to receive as a result of her husband’s death. The members of the Younger family view money in different ways, with Mama, Beneatha , and Ruth imagining money as a means to an end and…

A Raisin in the Sun by Hansberry: Literary Analysis

The realities of the historical and literary processes of the second half of the 20th century convince both literature scholar and usual readers that the strugscholars civil rights, the rise of Black movement understood broadly, was merging with the left-wing literary movement, animated by critical moods, and a deep-seated rush for social justice. This evident trend is represented by first-row names, universally recognized talents. Among them, there is Lorraine Hansberry (1930 – 1965), playwright, publicist, one of the most prominent voices of the Black revolution, whose work is a phenomenon of a nationwide scale.

African American writer Hansberry was a staunch opponent of possessive morality, economic and political oppression. In a short time, she turned into a playwright, whose works delighted her contemporaries and won the love of millions (Thomas 77-78). Hansberry’s plays and journalism speak of her passionate commitment to reviving human dignity. With fierce hatred, she hated the spirit of money-grubbing, seeing in it the source of the social evils of the possessive world, when a person who compromised with his or her conscience becomes an accomplice to those in whose hands the power is. The writer shows her characters in a confrontation with diverse reality and argues the idea of the need to fight social evil, despite the situation, self-interest, and possible outcomes.

In particular, the heroes of Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun (1959) are faced with a dilemma: to come to terms with racist morality or to oppose its obvious injustice. Compared to her previous works, in Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun , the conflict is filled with new political content; and the range of problems is greatly expanded: individuality, politics, racial discrimination, art and business, the fate of a small person in the bourgeois world. The way of creating a person’s image also becomes different. For the heroes of A Raisin in the Sun , the focus of the character on a specific purpose was special. Walter, Beneatha, Ruth, Lena – everyone was striving for something, and this direction of will determine the integrity of their natures: “I will go home and much of what I will have to say will seem strange to the people of my village… But I will teach and work and things will happen, slowly and swiftly. At times it will seem that nothing changes at all… and then again…” (Hansberry 45).

Hansberry’s creativity played an exceptional role in the development of black drama after the Second World War. According to Sheader, the writer can be called “the mother of modern black drama no less than Eugene O’Neill is the father of national drama” (36). In this sense, A Raisin in the Sun fulfilled the same function as the novel about black people Native Son of Richard Wright. The Hansberry’s heroes, like Wright’s protagonists, live in Chicago, in the black quarter of South Side, in a wretched apartment called the “mousetrap” (Perry 138). Like the hero of Native Son Bigger Thomas, Thomas Walter Younger in Hansberry works as a chauffeur for a white man; he considers himself a loser, has a stubborn dream of “breaking out” into “better” people. It is like Wright’s Bigger (let us pay attention to the consonance of names), but matured, settled down, the father of the family.

The coincidence of some situations and scene places between Native Son and A Raisin in the Sun is obvious. However, Hansberry deals with a different era, another generation of Blacks, who have a rush for a better life, and most importantly, the self-esteem of Blacks in her works is expressed more distinctly and in a bolder manner. Moreover, one should note that the Hansberry style itself while comparing it with the style of Wright differs significantly. Wright is prone to dark, even deliberately dramatized ‘colors’ and language, while Hansberry’s style is bright, animated by humor. It is built on subtle psychological nuances, which, of course, is natural for dramaturgy.

Wright, both in the Native Son and in words works, invariably draws a sharp contrast between the world of Blacks and Whites, while Hansberry depicts collisions not only between Blacks and Whites but also within the African American family. Blacks, as well as Whites, are depicted impartially, without simplifications or condescending idealization. If in Wright (primarily, in the Native Son ), blacks appear primarily as victims of racism, and this detail is highly emphasized, while Hansberry by no means removing the severity of the racial situation draws her characters in all the richness of their human identity (Perry 138-149). One of the main themes of the play is the way to overcome their own ambitions and rejection of their desire to live without regard to race by white Americans.

It is interesting to note that events are not unfolding in the South, the stronghold of racism, but in the North, with which tradition associates the idea of tolerance in the racial problem. The play attracts not only by its sharpness but also by its deep development of characters. The image of Walter Lee, torn between the traditional values of the Black community – the ideals of love, unity, human dignity – and the values of American society, obsessed with the idea of material success, as well as the image of his mother, embodying the best features of the Black people, are of greatest interest.

A careful reading of A Raisin in the Sun allows the reader to conclude that Hansberry combines convinced intransigence towards racism in all its manifestations with the assertion of the need for unity between Blacks and Whites in the struggle for genuine freedom and true social justice. As it was mentioned above, she pursued this idea persistently both in her journalism and in her fiction. She believed in transforming the world, and her work was full of historical optimism. It is important to note that the principle nature of her position became a significant factor in the 60s when the Black movement was largely overwhelmed by nationalist sentiments (Sheader 20).

A Raisin in the Sun was the first play by an African American author on Broadway to receive the New York Theater Critics Circle Award. Moreover, it is recognized as one of the best dramas in the history of American theater. For several years, the play was translated into 35 different languages and staged in theatres around the world. Today, when the racial issue is once again particularly acute in American society, the Hansberry play continues to find new audiences, while actualizing simultaneously the search for identity and dialogue. “All different – all equal” – this axiom is affirmed and promoted in the play.

Works Cited

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun . Modern Library, 1995.

Perry, Imani. Looking for Lorraine: The Radiant and Radical Life of Lorraine Hansberry. Beacon Press, 2018.

Sheader, Catherine. Lorraine Hansberry: Playwright and Voice of Justice. Enslow Pub Inc., 1998.

Thomas, Bijimol. “Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Quest for Black Female Identity and Universality.” Science & Society , Vol. 01, No. 01, 2006, pp. 77-84.

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A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry: Play Analysis Essay

Introduction, characters of the story, the final freedom.

Lorraine Hansberry’s story is heavily steeped in racism. It does well to portray the social features of strong segregation and racial discrimination that prevailed during the 1950s in the United States, a time when the story’s younger family lived in Chicago’s South Side ghetto, as well as the struggles of the African-Americans to resist against the unfair treatment being meted out to them. Racial discrimination leads to the city being carved into two distinct parts – the first housing whites only, and the other housing blacks. Not only did blacks occupy a marginalized sector of society, but even within that margin, black women had to combat racial and gender prejudice. A majority of blacks did not accept the idea of assimilating into the dominant white culture because by doing so they would fit into white perceptions about their behavior and actions and thereby would be demeaning themselves. Blacks were searching for separate self-identities based on a celebration of their culture and heritage. They wanted to be treated as equally (like whites) contributing members of society, in pursuit of the American Dream (in those days it was to be a happy family that owned a house and a car).

Claudia McNeil is commendable as Lena’s (‘Mama”) Younger. She constantly dreams about her family and herself being considered equal to whites in society. She does not allow racism to come in the way of her dream of creating a new life and future for her family that involves moving into a dominantly white neighborhood.

Sidney Poitier’s phenomenal role as Walter Younger captures the central meaning of an African American’s intense desire for the American Dream. The power of his dream is to be financially well-off, educate his son Travis (Stephen Perry), and provide for his future. His endless preoccupation with finding quick riches and dominating his household makes him engage in arguments with his mother, wife, and sister; he turns wayward by resorting to constantly drinking.

Diana Sands as Beneatha (“Bennie”) attends college and is better educated than anyone else in the family. However, she is hampered by her dependence on the insurance amount to pay for her education: an effective stereotype of a black woman in those days who was racially discriminated by white society as well as by her own culture as not being worthy of higher education and its related status in life.

Ruby Dee as Ruth Younger portrays a pragmatic pessimist continually battling poverty and household problems. She dreams about getting away from their present slovenly locality, moving into a respectable house, and attaining a status equal to whites in society.

Joseph Asagai (Ivan Dixon) is a forceful Nigerian character who takes fierce pride in his African heritage. George Murchison (Louis Gossett Jr.) believes the only way to overcome racist deficiencies, riches, and admiration of others is by assimilating into white society. John Fiedler as Karl Lindner portrays the typical “white Aryan”, arrogantly secure in the power of his race and its belief that blacks are not fit to live in the same neighborhood as them. An opposition successfully portrayed in the story is white/black opposition representing Karl Lindner and other white racist Americans against the Younger family representing African Americans seeking a just and fair foothold in society.

The play “A Raisin in the Sun” officially opened in 1959, much before the black liberation movement revolutionized the lifestyle of African Americans in the United States. The movement, famously highlighted by Martin Luther’s speech “I Have a Dream” on August 28, 1963, signaled the start of a successful struggle that was responsible for elevating the status of African Americans in the United States in a series of gradual developments ultimately culminating into total freedom and total recognition as equal contributors to American society as their white counterparts. Although Lorraine Hansberry did not live to see the final freedom achieved by African Americans (she died an untimely death in 1965 at the age of thirty-four), she would surely have greatly gladdened to witness the “I Have a Dream” speech and realize that racial discrimination against African Americans would soon be an unhappy memory of the past.

Cocola, Jim & Douthat, Ross. “SparkNote on ‘A Raisin in the Sun’”. 2007. Web.

Petrie, Daniel. “A Raisin in the Sun” (video). 1961. Web.

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1. IvyPanda . "A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry: Play Analysis." February 26, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-raisin-in-the-sun-by-lorraine-hansberry-essay/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry: Play Analysis." February 26, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/a-raisin-in-the-sun-by-lorraine-hansberry-essay/.

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A Raisin In The Sun - List of Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that explores the themes of racial identity, family, and the American Dream within a black family in 1950s Chicago. Essays on this play might delve into the character analysis, thematic exploration, its historical and social context, or the portrayal of racial dynamics and aspirations of the characters within the play. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to A Raisin In The Sun you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

A Raisin in the Sun American Dream

The play, “A Raisin In The Sun” is staged in 1959 during a time when African-Americans could not be successful in the economy due to the extreme amounts of racism that were present. The constant encounters of prejudices and racism causes them to have to put aside their hopes and dreams to focus on trying to figure out how to overcome the obstacles that are set out in front of them. During these times, the Great Depression had begun. The […]

African-Americans in the a Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun focuses both on the socioeconomic conditions of African-Americans and their journey for identity in a segregated society. The issue of identity is central in the play, materialized through the Younger family, and their failed assimilation into the American society of the late 1950s and early 1960s, and reluctance of Whites to let Blacks into their community. According to Francis Dedmond in A Raisin In The Sun thesis statement, various critics complimented the work`s moving story […]

Escaping the Shackles of Modern Society

Throughout the history of drama production, the underlying message meant to be conveyed has been interpreted in many ways. Terrence Smith and Mike Miller argued that “The purpose of drama is not to define thought but to provoke it,” suggesting that plays are not used to spell out a one-sided topic, but rather are meant to evoke further speculation from all angles upon a specific subject. While witnessing the plot unfold amidst the play’s dynamics, the audience has the opportunity […]

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Discrimination against Blacks in a Raisin in the Sun

Chicago's Southside, like many other towns, suffers considerably post World War II. Racism stretches across the nation and into the Youngers, an African-American family in the play A Raisin in the Sun, home. Lorraine Hansberry, playwright of A Raisin in the Sun, vividly shows people how racism and discrimination can make a family suffer. Since racism will never go away, people need to learn how racism negatively impacts others' lives. Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun demonstrates how racism […]

Racism in a Raisin in the Sun

Chicago's South-side, like other towns, suffered tremendously from racism and discrimination during the Great Depression. Racism has swept across the nation and landed in the Youngers', an African-American family in A Raisin in the Sun, household. Lorraine Hansberry, playwright of A Raisin in the Sun, is vividly portraying life in this low-level town where discrimination explodes into conflict. Since equality among races is not common, the Youngers battle hardship just for being black. Hansberry's play A Raisin in the Sun […]

Natural Imagery of Plants and Urban Settings

The usage of natural imagery is a part of the major literary device used by Zora Hurston, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Lorraine Hansberry to explore experiences within the story. Both Hurston and Hansberry use symbolism as a figurative language to develop how plants play a crucial role in the development of the fulfillment of dreams. Hansberry uses Mama’s plant in the play A Raisin in the Sun as a motif to show the effects of being racially oppressed by their surroundings. […]

A Raisin in the Sun Mid-Term Essay

A Raisin in the Sun tells the story of the lives of an African-American family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. At the beginning of the play, the family, Youngers, are about to receive an insurance check for $10,000 which they are receiving from the deceased Mr. Younger's life insurance policy. Each of the adult members, Mama, Walter, Ruth, and Beneatha, has an idea as to what he or she would like to do with this […]

A Complex Analysis of the Raisin in the Sun

I: Significance of Title The title "A Raisin in the Sun" comes from the Langston Hughes poem that says, "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?" Dreams play a major role in the theme of this play. Each individual has some kind of dream or goal that they want to make a reality. Walter wants to open a liquor store and provide for his family, Bennie wants to become a doctor, […]

A Glimpse into the Lives of African Americans

The 1950s was a time for revolutions and the rise of the Civil Rights movement. It made sense that during this time, some revolutionary literature and plays would be produced. A Raisin in the Sun is a perfect example of such plays. Not only is it the first play performed on Broadway written by an African American woman, the play also hosts almost all African American characters."The play earned Hansberry the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for best play […]

A Raisin in the Sun Theme

A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry in the 1950’s, is a play that is based on the life of an African-American family known as the Youngers, who live in the South Side of Chicago and are waiting to receive a life insurance check for ten thousand dollars. The play A Raisin In The Sun essay highlights the dreams of each family member and their plans on how they intend to use the money from the death of […]

Younger’s Family in a Raisin in the Sun

A dream deferred is often assumed to be something tragic, devastating, and that can cause an individual to become hopeless. However, unattainable dreams are chances for replenished and better opportunities. Likewise, in the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, the common misconception that a better opportunity cannot sprout from a dream deferred is greatly emphasized through multiple characters within the play when the family is fragmented due to their opposing dreams, and it is not until each […]

A Raisin in the Sun Walters Dream

’A Raisin in the Sun’’ by Lorraine Hansberry. Portrays an African American family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950’s. In the story, the family goes through many ups and downs, especially when it comes to money. Walter Lee is the man of the house now and is determined to provide a better life for himself and his family. There is a one hundred thousand dollars check coming from the insurance company for the loss of Walter’s […]

American Dream: a Raisin in the Sun

 A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, introduces the audience to the Youngers, an African-American family living in Chicago. Each member of the Younger family has a particular dream; some are achieved and some are not due to personal and social obstacles. Each of these dreams is representative of the American Dream, which asserts that everyone has the opportunity to improve their own lives as well as provide opportunities for the next generation through hard work. When the raisin […]

The Struggle in a Raisin in the Sun

Chicago's Southside, like many other Northern cities, housed many African Americans in the 1950s. The housing was poor quality and racism was prevalent. Lorraine Hansberry, playwright for A Raisin in the Sun, paints a vivid picture of life in a gloomy city where the struggle of poverty and equality are real. Though the experience of one family, the play A Raisin in the Sun accurately depicts the historical record of African-Americans' lives in the 1950s of the racist relationship between […]

Walter Younger in the Play Raisin in the Sun

Walter Younger, a character in the play “Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry. He’s a tough guy to deal with because he is selfish. He looks after himself and his family, but he only cares about money. This gets in the way of his relationship with his mom, sister and wife. Walter is a good guy doing all the wrong things for the right reasons, but the way he does them aren’t always known or liked by his family. […]

A Raisin in the Sun how Beneatha Struggles

The play A Raisin in The Sun was written by African American writer and play writer Lorraine Hansberry in 1959. The play discusses the life of an African American family and their struggle to acquire the American Dream. Walter goes through hopes, plans, wishes, gains and losses throughout the play that help shape his way towards his final goals. Pride is a great trait in Walter’s personality which can be the reason for him to achieve the American Dream. The […]

A Raisin in the Sun Analysis

The play "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry tells the story of a black family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. The title comes from the poem by Langston Hughes, "Harlem (A Dream Deferred)". The story is all about a lower-class African-American family who trying to gain better lifestyle with an insurance payout because of the death of the father. The play begins, the younger family are about to receive $10,000 check, that comes […]

A Raisin in the Sun Dreams Deferred

James Baldwin first wrote this book in 1957 and it tells the story of two brothers who went down two completely different roads in life. The narrator is an Algebra teacher and his brother Sonny is a drug addict. Even though they grew up in the same home together unfortunately the brothers also grew up in the Harlem Ghetto together. This was a place filled with crime, drugs, and prostitution. This is a great source for me because it is […]

A Raisin in the Sun on Mama

In A Raisin in the Sun, the plot is based on an African American family living in a low-income suburban neighborhood in the 'ghetto' side of Chicago in 1959. In the play, it shows the kind of lives the family Younger's lived in and how colorism was a big part of their lives. In their lifetime it was quite unusual to find an African American not working for a 'white' family. The Younger's family, Ruth, Lena, and Walter all worked […]

A Raisin in the Sun Character Analysis: Asagai and Murchison

In literature, a foil is a character that shows qualities that contrast with another character's qualities. The importance of this is to shed light on the qualities of the other character. Foil characters may, but not always, be antagonists. Sometimes, alongside the protagonist, foils are even other characters. When an author uses a foil, they want to ensure that the reader picks up on important differences between the character’s traits and characteristics. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye […]

‘A Raisin in the Sun’ Gender Roles and Discrimination: then and Now

Gender Inequality in A Raisin in the Sun Despite the fact that boys and girls are encouraged to be whatever they desire at a young age, gender inequality is currently a monumental issue in the workplace. In the past, women were thought to be unfit to perform certain jobs that were deemed to be suited for men. Gender inequality is one prominent conflict out of many continuously seen in the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. The […]

A Raisin in the Sun Money Significance: Chasing Dreams and Unraveling Conflicts

The Younger family from the play A Raisin in The Sun is one of the most well-told stories of a struggling family. The playwright, Lorraine Hansberry, took inspiration from two of Langston Hughes' most famous poems, both of which address issues of poverty. While she considered using 'Mother to Son', about the understanding of the defiance of not giving up, she preferred the poem 'Harlem,' with its underlying message about the outcome of a deferred dream. Both Langston Hughes's poems […]

Empowering Narratives in Literature: a Raisin in the Sun of Feminism and its Insights on Equality

In the world of literature, stories hold essential messages about life and society. “A Raisin in the Sun,” a play by Lorraine Hansberry, is one such narrative. It explores perfectly the dreams, challenges, and significance of equality. In this essay, we'll look into the theme of feminism in the play. We’ll examine how it portrays the determination and resilience of women. You can also find several essays on various educational platforms on the same topic. This can help you understand […]

Beneatha Younger: a Symbol of Hope and Change in ‘A Raisin in the Sun

In Lorraine Hansberry's groundbreaking play "A Raisin in the Sun," Beneatha Younger emerges as a symbol of hope, change, and the struggle for identity amidst the stifling societal norms of the 1950s. As one of the central characters, Beneatha's journey in the play is not just a personal quest for self-identity but also a representation of the broader struggles faced by African American women during the era. This essay explores Beneatha's character, her aspirations, her relationships with other characters, and […]

Raisin in the Sun Dynamic Character Walter

The story “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry portrays a family in conflict against one another when they receive an insurance check of ten thousand dollars from Mr. Younger’s life insurance policy. Each member of the family has their own ideas on how to spend the money, which causes a dispute among them. The play analyzes the outcome when dreams, ambitions, and social issues collide with one another. The majority of the play takes place in the Younger’s […]

The Radiant Resilience in “A Raisin in the Sun”

"A Raisin in the Sun" is not merely a title or a line borrowed from a Langston Hughes poem. It is a question that delves deep into the heart of dreams deferred, dreams shattered, and dreams reborn. Adapted from Lorraine Hansberry's groundbreaking play, the movie, directed with palpable intensity, is an exploration of a black family's aspirations in the face of economic hardships and societal prejudices. The story follows the Younger family, living in a cramped apartment on Chicago's South […]

Reflecting on Dreams Deferred: the Impact of “A Raisin in the Sun” Movie

Lorraine Hansberry's seminal work, "A Raisin in the Sun," transitioned from the stage to the silver screen in 1961, bringing with it a profound narrative that has resonated through the decades. The movie adaptation not only preserved the integrity of Hansberry's play but also amplified its themes of racial tension, poverty, family, and dreams deferred to a broader audience, securing its place as a pivotal piece of American cinema that continues to speak volumes in today's society. At the heart […]

Dynamics of Dreams: ‘Raisin in the Sun’ and the African American Experience

"Raisin in the Sun," a cinematic masterpiece directed by Daniel Petrie and released in 1961, emerges as a compelling exploration of African American life in the aftermath of World War II. Derived from Lorraine Hansberry's groundbreaking play, the film intricately weaves the tapestry of racial identity, socio-economic struggles, and the pursuit of the American Dream against the dynamic backdrop of a transforming America. At the narrative's core is the Younger family, residing within the confines of a South Side Chicago […]

Reflecting on “A Raisin in the Sun”: the 2008 Adaptation’s Impact

The 2008 television adaptation of "A Raisin in the Sun" brought Lorraine Hansberry's iconic play back into the cultural spotlight, offering new generations a lens through which to explore enduring themes of dreams, racial inequality, and the search for identity. This version, directed by Kenny Leon and starring an ensemble cast led by Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald, and Sanaa Lathan, breathed fresh life into Hansberry's narrative, connecting historical social issues with contemporary resonance. "A Raisin in the Sun" […]

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How To Write an Essay About A Raisin In The Sun

Introduction to lorraine hansberry’s a raisin in the sun.

When starting an essay about Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” it’s important to first establish the play’s historical and cultural context. Written in 1959, this groundbreaking play addresses crucial themes such as racial discrimination, poverty, and the American Dream. In your introduction, outline the main plot, which revolves around the Younger family and their struggles in a racially segregated America. Highlight the significance of the play’s title, derived from a line in Langston Hughes’s poem “Harlem,” which questions what happens to a dream deferred. This introduction should lay the groundwork for your examination of the play’s key themes and the ways in which Hansberry challenges societal norms.

Exploring Themes and Character Development

The body of your essay should delve into the major themes and character development in “A Raisin in the Sun.” Discuss the varied dreams and aspirations of each family member and how their individual desires reflect broader societal issues. Analyze the theme of racial discrimination and its impact on the family, particularly in their pursuit of a better life in a predominantly white neighborhood. Consider Hansberry’s portrayal of gender roles through characters like Mama, Ruth, and Beneatha, and how these characters challenge or conform to the societal expectations of the era. Support your analysis with specific examples from the text, ensuring each paragraph contributes a nuanced understanding of the play’s themes.

The Play’s Cultural and Historical Significance

This section should contextualize “A Raisin in the Sun” within the broader landscape of American theater and its historical period. Discuss how the play reflects the social and political climate of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly in terms of the civil rights movement and the struggle for racial equality. Consider Hansberry’s own experiences and influences, and how they shaped her portrayal of the African American experience. Analyze the impact and reception of the play when it was first performed, and how it has continued to resonate with audiences over the years.

Concluding Reflections on A Raisin In The Sun

Conclude your essay by summarizing the key insights gained from your analysis of “A Raisin in the Sun.” Reflect on the enduring relevance of the play in contemporary discussions about race, identity, and the American Dream. Consider the play’s influence on later works and its place in the canon of American drama. A strong conclusion will not only encapsulate the main themes and significance of Hansberry’s work but also encourage readers to reflect on its impact and relevance to current societal issues.

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A Raisin in the Sun

Marxist literary analysis of a raisin in the sun anonymous 11th grade.

“Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life – now it’s money” (Hansberry, 74). The quote from Mama portrays the Youngers, a typical African American family living in Chicago in 1959, in their struggle to break free from the endless cycle of poverty. The family’s attempt to achieve a better life is hindered by many barriers: money, businessmen, and even themselves. Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun can be interpreted the best through the Marxist literary perspective because the themes of the play correlate directly with the theory’s three main areas of study. Economic power is an eminent issue seen in the Younger’s desires to escape poverty and actualize their own version of the “American Dream”. The constant arguing between Walter Lee and his mother Lena Younger reflect the Marxist study of the conflict between materialism versus spiritualism. Lastly, the class conflict is evident through the play in the form of racial discrimination from Karl Linder and Mrs. Johnson towards the Younger Family.

Purdue Owl defines the Marxist literary theory as a school that “concerns itself with class differences, economic and otherwise, as well as the implications and complications of the capitalist system” (Brizee et...

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