1. A RAISIN IN THE SUN BACKGROUND NOTES

2. The Author-Lorraine Hansberry ■Born May 19, 1930. Died January 12, 1965. ■She grew up in Southside Chicago, the same setting as the play, the youngest of four children. ■A Raisin in the Sun is her best known work. ■A Raisin in the Sun is the first play written by an African-American woman to be produced on Broadway. ■She died at only 34 years old of pancreatic cancer.

3. Art Imitates Life: Hansberry vs. Lee ■In 1938, Hansberry’s father Carl struggled against segregation when he bought his home in a white neighborhood, defying the homeowner’s association “restrictive clause”. ■Carl’s case eventually went to the Supreme Court, becoming what would be known as “Hansberry vs. Lee”. ■The Supreme Court eventually ruled against the restrictive clause barring African-Americans from moving into white neighborhoods. ■This fight against segregation will be mirrored in the play A Raisin in the Sun.

4. Background on the Play ■Debuted on Broadway in 1959. ■Named the New York Drama Critics’ Circle best play of 1959. ■The play tells the story of an African-American family living in Chicago. Each member of the family has their own version of the “American Dream”. Conflicts arise as each member of the family tries to fulfill their dreams with the limited resources available. ■The play takes it title from a line in Langston Hughes’s poem “Harlem”. ■Set in the 1950’s in Chicago.

5. Important Themes ■The Importance of Dreams –Each member of the family has their own individual dreams that motivate and inspire them throughout the play. These dreams influence their happiness and sadness, and help the family in their struggles against the prejudice and oppression they experience in their lives. ■Fighting Against Racial Discrimination –Mr. Lindner, the spokesperson for the homeowner’s association of the all-white neighborhood the Younger family tries to move in to, represents the idea of racial discrimination and segregation. ■The Importance of Family –Mama, the matriarch of the Younger family, stresses the importance and strength of family throughout the play. They each have their individual dreams, but are strongest when they unite as a family and support each other.

6. Major Characters ■Walter: –Son to Mamma, husband to Ruth, father to Travis, and brother to Beneaetha. –Is both the protagonist and antagonist of the story –“Provides an ‘everyman’ perspective of the mid-twentieth century African- American male”. –He struggles to provide and make more money to ensure a comfortable life for his family, but his anger and unwillingness to listen to his family causes conflict. ■Mamma: –Walter and Beneatha’s mother and head of the Younger family –“She believes in striving to succeed while maintaining her moral boundaries”. –Nurturing and maternal to everyone in her family

7. Major Characters ■Beneatha: –Walter’s sister and Mama’s daughter. –Proud and independent, she is studying to be a doctor. –Her struggle for identity is demonstrated through the two men she is dating: Joseph Asagai, who encourages her to embrace her African heritage; and George Murchison, her “pompous, affluent African-American boyfriend”. ■Ruth: –Walter’s wife, she works in the homes of wealthy white people to help with the financial difficulties the family faces. –Tries to support her husband and his dream, but is overall content with their lives.