LORRAINE LORRAINE HANSBERRYHANSBERRY1930-19651930-1965

Chicago nativeChicago native

Affluent, intellectual family/upwardly mobileAffluent, intellectual family/upwardly mobile

Fought for Civil RightsFought for Civil Rights

First Broadway play written by a female, African AmericanFirst Broadway play written by a female, African American

Won New York Critics Award Won New York Critics Award

A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the SunA Play by Lorraine HansberryA Play by Lorraine Hansberry

Written in 1959Written in 1959

Essential vocabulary: defer, prejudice, stereotype, ghettoEssential vocabulary: defer, prejudice, stereotype, ghetto

Poem by Langston Hughes—”Dreams Deferred”Poem by Langston Hughes—”Dreams Deferred”

A play about the Younger family struggling to realize the American A play about the Younger family struggling to realize the American dream (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) by escaping dream (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) by escaping ghetto life. ghetto life.

Basic themes:Basic themes: Importance of family and family relationshipsImportance of family and family relationships

Importance of dreams & goalsImportance of dreams & goals

Dangers of prejudice & stereotypingDangers of prejudice & stereotyping

CONFLICT:CONFLICT: Among family members about insurance moneyAmong family members about insurance money

CLIMAX:CLIMAX: Willy Harris steals moneyWilly Harris steals money

CONCLUSION:CONCLUSION: Walter’s epiphanyWalter’s epiphany

CHARACTERS/SETTINGCHARACTERS/SETTING

Lena Younger – matriarchLena Younger – matriarch

Walter Younger – son, ambitiousWalter Younger – son, ambitious

Ruth Younger – wife, young but wornRuth Younger – wife, young but worn

Travis Younger – sonTravis Younger – son

Beneatha Younger – sister, educated, upwardly mobileBeneatha Younger – sister, educated, upwardly mobile

Geo Murchison – Beneath’s wealthy African American boyfriendGeo Murchison – Beneath’s wealthy African American boyfriend

Joseph Asagai – ‘modern’ African boyfriend of Beneatha’sJoseph Asagai – ‘modern’ African boyfriend of Beneatha’s

Karl Linder – Clybourne Park Wellcoming Committee Chair, whiteKarl Linder – Clybourne Park Wellcoming Committee Chair, white

Willy Harris – thiefWilly Harris – thief

Place – Southside Chicago ghettoPlace – Southside Chicago ghetto

Tine – late 1950’sTine – late 1950’s

STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

DREAMS:DREAMS: Mama – retired; buy houseMama – retired; buy house

Walter – buy liquor store to support; become a man & Walter – buy liquor store to support; become a man & independentindependent

Ruth – move to a safe area; protect her familyRuth – move to a safe area; protect her family

Beneatha – medical schoolBeneatha – medical school

CONFLICT:CONFLICT: What to do with the $10,000 insurance checkWhat to do with the $10,000 insurance check

Lena—survival of family depends on movingLena—survival of family depends on moving

Walter –fells undermined; begins to drinkWalter –fells undermined; begins to drink

CLIMAX:CLIMAX: Willy Harris steals moneyWilly Harris steals money

Reactions: Mama calmly unpacksReactions: Mama calmly unpacks

Bennie is furious & resentfulBennie is furious & resentful

Walter is defeated; loses hope; failureWalter is defeated; loses hope; failure

CONCLUSION:CONCLUSION: Walter’s epiphany-- shows independence & proud Walter’s epiphany-- shows independence & proud manhoodmanhood