1. Author and Background Notes
A Raisin in the Sun by
Lorraine Hansberry

2. Lorraine Hansberry
Parents were prominent African-American intellectuals
Lived on Chicago’s south side

3. Carl Hansberry, father
Challenged the Chicago housing authority for its segregated housing pattern in Chicago when he bought a house in an all white neighborhood. The family was threatened by a mob and forced to leave by court order. He took the case all the way to the Supreme Court and won.

4. A Raisin in the Sun
First play written by an African-American women that ended up on Broadway
Depicted the dreams and disappointments of African Americans
Depicted an ordinary family whose struggles, conflicts, and triumphs all people could recognize.

5. Plot and Setting
Chicago’s south side during the 1950s

6. Major Characters Lena Younger (Mama): recent widow
Walter Lee Younger: Mama’s 35 year-old son, who dreams of owning his own business
Ruth Younger: Walter’s wife and mother to their son, Travis
Beneatha Younger: Mama’s college-aged daughter who dreams of being a doctor

7. Themes
The American Dream: differs for all types of Americans, can be accomplished with hard work
The power of prejudice: under current of racial tension
From defeat to victory

8. Conflict is created by the following:
Financial troubles create conflicts
Parent/child relationships
Male/female struggles
Quest to find personal fulfillment

9. Act I Scene: ii Narrator: Mackenzie Travis: Taylor Mama: Kevin
Beneatha: Moriah
Asagai: Bond
Ruth: Haley
Walter: Alex

10. Act II scene i Ruth: Hayden Beneatha: Larisa Walter: Potty Mouth McGee
George Murchison: Brennan
Mama: CJ
Travis: Taylor
Narrator: Lauren

11. Act II scene ii Narrator: JD George: Josh Beneatha: Rachel
Mama: Anikesh
Ruth: Alex
Walter: Moriah
Travis: Hayden
Ms. Johnson: Larisa

12. Act II Scene iii Narrator: Thomas Ruth: Sam Beneatha: Brennan
Walter: Sean
Man/Mr. Lindner: Kevin
Travis: Karlee
Bobo: Rachel
Mama: Mackenzie