A Raisin Review
Kenneth Hawthorne
English/125
3/15/2016
University of Phoenix

A Raisin Review
“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or faster like a sore and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode”. (Langston Hughes, Harlem)

The author Lorraine Hansberry was born May 19, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois. Lorraine Hansberry's writing style is autobiographical, and was the first black playwright to create realistic black characters for the stage. Leanne Hansberry's play a raisin in the sun received multiple most notably the (New York drama critics Circle award for the best player of the year) she was the youngest playwright, fifth woman and first black woman to win this award. Although Lorraine Hansberry died at the age of 35 cancers 1965, her depiction of the 1950s black family in the south side of Chicago is something that will last forever in the hearts and minds of readers forever.

You could say that Lorraine Hansberry made an autobiographical story about all families dealing with death, money, pregnancy, race, and ideals. However, this play was not just about black-and-white, it was introspective look into the black community. The play shows how the black community views itself in 1950's Chicago and that had to be difficult. In the 1950s and early 60s, there was no room to be fake and imaginary, you had to give the people an authentic look into the community you were writing about. The story was just much about introduction to the struggle of young black families as it was an autobiographical story about Loraine Hansberry's life

Furthermore, Lorraine Hansberry's play a raisin in the sun also tackles the female community and the traditional roll a female play in society, as well as the black community. The females in this play are Ruth, Bene, and Lena younger none of which fit into the traditional role of a housewife, mother, and little sister. Although Ruth Younger appears to be subservient to her husband Walter, in this play Ruth is constantly trying to keep Walter focused on work and providing for the family. Ruth also works very and it becomes noticeable after she becomes pregnant. Lena Younger is the mother and inspirational leader of the Younger family. She knows exactly how to regulate her son and keep him in sync with his wife. Although Beneatha Younger is a very strong character younger sister to Walter she has dreams of her own and does not work or participate in the dreams of the family until the very end. The focus on these two characters is very strong and it shows the true leadership of the family. Internal conflict. Not all conflict involves other people. Sometimes people are their own worst enemies.

Walter is having an internal conflict is a good test of his values. The question is, does Walter give in to temptation or rise above it? Does he demand the most from himself or settle for something less? Does he even bother to struggle? The internal conflicts of a character and how they are resolved are good clues to the character’s inner strength. Although there are four conflicts going on at the same time Lorraine Hansberry does a great job accessing the reader imagination, so they can put themselves into Walter’s position. As the reader you knew that Walter was going to lose the money, you prayed that he was able to make good on his promise to his family, but it is hard to stop time go back and rewrite the play in the favor of success in every case.

As a reader I was able to easily follow along and identify with Lorraine Hansberry’s story about a black family

in south side of Chicago.

References Page

Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. New York: Random House, 1959.

Hughes, Langston. “a raisin in the sun.” The Longman Reader Brief Edition. 8th ed. Eds. John
Langan, Eliza, A. Comodromos. NY: Pearson, 2008. 127-29.