Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved. 1 A Raisin in the Sun Class Notes

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.2 Lorraine Hansberry Lorraine Hansberry was born in the Woodlawn neighborhood. Lorraine Hansberry was born in the Woodlawn neighborhood. The family then moved into an all- white neighborhood, where they faced racial discrimination. The family then moved into an all- white neighborhood, where they faced racial discrimination.racial discriminationracial discrimination

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.3 Lorraine Hansberry Hansberry attended a predominantly white public school while her parents fought against segregation. Hansberry attended a predominantly white public school while her parents fought against segregation. public school segregation public school segregation This experience later inspired her to write her most famous work, A Raisin in the Sun. This experience later inspired her to write her most famous work, A Raisin in the Sun.A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the Sun Attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked on the staff of Freedom magazine. Attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked on the staff of Freedom magazine.University of Wisconsin-MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison Died of pancreatic cancer Died of pancreatic cancer

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.4 Background – The Play Debuted on Broadway in Debuted on Broadway in 1959.Broadway First play written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway First play written by a black woman to be produced on BroadwayblackBroadwayblackBroadway Story is based upon a family's own experiences growing up in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood. Story is based upon a family's own experiences growing up in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood.Chicago WoodlawnChicago Woodlawn The title comes from the opening lines of "Harlem", a poem by Langston Hughes The title comes from the opening lines of "Harlem", a poem by Langston Hughes

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.5 The Characters Mrs. Lena Younger (Mama)— Matriarch of the family. She has strong values and ideas about how to run her family; these sometimes conflict with those of her grown children. Walter Lee (Brother)— Mrs. Younger’s eldest child. He wants to start his own liquor business, against his family’s wishes.

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.6 The Characters Beneatha—Walter Lee’s younger sister. She plans to go to medical school after college and has ideals many people find difficult to understand. Ruth Younger Walter Lee’s wife, who wants a tranquil home, but who experiences difficulty in communicating with her husband. Pregnant, she is considering having an abortion.

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.7 The Characters Travis Younger—Walter and Ruth’s son. Both his parents want him to aim for a life with more advantages than they have been able to provide. Joseph Asagai—One of Beneatha’s gentleman friends; a fellow student at her school who is originally from Africa. In the midst of crisis, he shows Beneatha an unexpected side of his personality.

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.8 The Characters George Murchison—Another friend of Beneatha’s. Because he is rich, the family urges Beneatha to marry him, but she is not so sure this is what she wants. Karl Lindner—A white man representing a new-neighbor committee, who wants to make a humiliating “deal” with the Younger family.

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.9 The Characters Bobo—One of the men Walter wants to start a liquor business with; he delivers some shocking news to the family. Mrs. Johnson—Nosy neighbor of the Youngers, who cannot help hinting that there might be dire consequences if the family moves to the new neighborhood. Walter Younger Senior—Deceased husband of Mrs. Younger. How the money from his insurance policy will be used is a source of conflict for the Younger family.

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.10 Themes The value and purpose of dreams The value and purpose of dreams the need to fight racial discrimination’ the need to fight racial discrimination’ the importance of family the importance of family

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.11 Major Conflict The Youngers, a working-class black family, struggle against economic hardship and racial prejudice. The Youngers, a working-class black family, struggle against economic hardship and racial prejudice.

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.12 Rising action Ruth discovers that she is pregnant Ruth discovers that she is pregnant Mama makes a down payment on a house Mama makes a down payment on a house Mama gives Walter the remaining insurance money Mama gives Walter the remaining insurance money Walter invests the money in the liquor store venture. Walter invests the money in the liquor store venture.

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.13 Climax Bobo tells the Youngers that Willy has run off with all of Walter’s invested insurance money Bobo tells the Youngers that Willy has run off with all of Walter’s invested insurance money Asagai makes Beneatha realize that she is not as independent as she thinks. Asagai makes Beneatha realize that she is not as independent as she thinks.

Copyright 2005 by M. Baltsas/ Revised 2008 All Rights Reserved.14 Falling action Walter refuses Mr. Lindner’s offer to not move Walter refuses Mr. Lindner’s offer to not move The Youngers move out of the apartment to their new house in the white neighborhood The Youngers move out of the apartment to their new house in the white neighborhood Beneatha finds new strength in Asagai. Beneatha finds new strength in Asagai.