The Life and Literature of Lorraine Hansberry

Lorraine Hansberry  BIRTH: May 19, 1930 in Chicago  DEATH: January 12, 1965 in New York City  EDUCATION: University of Wisconsin, Art Institute of Chicago, Roosevelt University New School, for Social Research

Hansberry’s Family  Lorraine Hansberry - daughter of a prominent real-estate broker, Carl Hansberry.  Her parents were intellectuals and activists.  Her father was an active member of the Republican Party.  Hansberry's parents sent her to public schools rather than private ones as a protest against the segregation laws.

Hansberry’s Education  In 1950, Hansberry dropped out of college and moved to New York.  She took classes in writing and worked as an associate editor of a radical black magazine.  During this period, Hansberry met Langston Hughes, whose work, specifically his artistic integrity, had deep influence.  Hansberry studied African history under W.E.B. Du Bois.

Writing A Raisin in the Sun  When Lorraine was eight, her parents bought a house in a white neighborhood, where they were welcomed one night by a racist mob which led to a civil rights case.  Carl Hansberry (Lorraine Hansberry’s father) won an anti-segregation case before the Illinois Supreme Court, upon which the events in the play were loosely based.

Literary Success  Hansberry raised the money herself to stage the play on Broadway where it was met with great success.  A Raisin in the Sun (1959) was the first drama by an African American woman produced on Broadway.

Her Legacy  “Hansberry portrayed individuals – not only black – who defend their own and other's dignity.”  Listen to NPR’s anniversary show for Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun

Themes  the importance of dreams  the frustration of dreams deferred  the strength of family  the importance of not selling out  the problems of conflicting expectations  the belief that love and trust will win over deceit and selfishness  the dangers of prejudice and stereotyping

Title: A Raisin in the Sun A Dream Deferred 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?