A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry

Born in Chicago on May 19, 1930 Youngest of four children Parents: Carl and Nannie Perry Hansberry Parents were politically active and supported social justice initiatives On her birth certificate, her parents crossed out the word “Negro” and wrote in the word “Black”

Although she was born during the Great Depression, Hansberry’s(BUT) family would have been considered upper middle class. By the standards of Chicago black families, however, Hansberry’s family would have been considered rich. Hansberry was never comfortable with being the “rich girl.” She often observed and imitated the less fortunate children she grew up around, and her concern for them became evident in her later writing.

Hansberry grew up witnessing her father, Carl, challenging issues of racism. (She witnesses her father challenging racism). At one point her father challenged a Supreme Court decision against integration and won the right to purchase a house in an exclusive Chicago neighborhood that was considered a “white” neighborhood. Hansberry was deeply affected by the death of her father. His likeness can be seen in A Raisin in the Sun in the character of Big Walter.

Hansberry died on January 12, 1965 at the age of 34 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Hansberry left behind three unfinished plays and an unfinished semi-autobiographical novel.

HARLEM by 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?

SETTING CHICAGO’S Southside Between WWII and 1959.

WALTER LEE YOUNGER In his thirties. Works as a chauffeur; intelligent and ambitious but impulsive and often angry, he desperately wants to get ahead in a world that offers him few opportunities.

RUTH YOUNGER The thirtyish wife of Walter Lee Younger and the mother of Travis, their ten-year-old son. Ruth acts as peacemaker in most of the explosive family situations. Very low- key, Ruth reveals her strongest emotions only when she learns of the possibility of their moving to a better neighborhood

BENEATHA YOUNGER The twentyish sister of Walter Lee and the daughter of Lena Younger. She is a college student planning to go to medical school. The only family member privileged to have the opportunity for a higher education, she is sometimes a little overbearing in the pride she takes in being an "intellectual."

TRAVIS YOUNGER The ten-year-old son of Walter and Ruth Younger. Living in a household with three generations in conflict, Travis skillfully plays each adult against the other and is, as a result, somewhat "spoiled." In spite of this, he is a likeable child.

LENA YOUNGER (MAMA) The mother of Walter Lee and Beneatha, mother-in-law of Ruth, and grandmother of Travis. Lena's (Mama's) every action is borne out of her abiding love for her family, her deep religious convictions, and her strong will that is surpassed only by her compassion.

Joseph Asagai An African college student from Nigeria, Asagai is one of Beneatha's suitors. Mannerly, good looking, and personable, he is well liked by all members of the Younger household

George Murchison Beneatha's other boyfriend, he too is a college student. His wealthy background alienates him from the poverty of the Youngers. Easily impressed, Ruth is the only member of the Younger household who naively overlooks George's offensive snobbishness.

CHARACTERIZATION Flat vs. Round Characters: Flat Characters are not well-developed; the reader doesn’t know a lot about them. Round Characters are well-developed and complex. Flat CharactersRound Characters Willy, Bobo, Mr. Lindner Mama, Ruth, Walter Lee, Beneatha; George; Joseph

The ancient Greeks believed hubris was the worst possible sin and would elicit the punishment of the gods. Hubris is considered excessive pride that leads a man to overlook a divine warning or break a moral law. Hubris is a form of harmartia, which is a tragic error in judgment that brings the hero to momentary defeat.

EIGHT WAYS TO REVEAL CHARACTER

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION (appearance) I was wishing I looked like Paul Newman--- he looks tough and I don't--- but I guess my own looks aren't so bad. I have light-brown, almost-red hair and greenish-gray eyes.

DIALOGUE What he/she says…

OBJECTS and POSSESSIONS

BACKGROUND INFORMATION We're poorer than the Socs and the middle class. I reckon we're wilder, too. Not like the Socs, who jump greasers and wreck houses and throw beer blasts for kicks, and get editorials in the paper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next.

ACTIONS/REACTIONS

THOUGHTS

What others say about him/her.