A RAISIN IN THE SUN An Introduction

What would you do with 40 bajillion dollars? Two Questions… What would you do with 40 bajillion dollars? What would you do with 70 thousand dollars?

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?

The Younger Family Poor African American family Lives on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950’s Shares a small 1 bedroom apartment 1 bathroom for whole floor

Lena Younger (Mama) Kind old gentle woman Husband (big Walter) recently died $10,000 life insurance check on the way Dreamt with her husband about owning a home one day

Walter Lee Younger Son of Lena and Big Walter Chauffeur for a wealthy white man Dreams of providing a better life for his family Has big plans for $10,000 check

Ruth Younger Married to Walter Lee Works as a housekeeper in the home a white family Feeling tired and sick as play opens Dreams of a better life for her family

Beneatha Younger Sister of Walter Lee and Daughter of Lena College student, does not have a job Interested in learning about her African heritage Dreams of being a doctor

Travis Younger Son of Walter Lee and Ruth Younger Sleeps on the couch

Willy and Bobo Friends of Walter Lee’s Potential business partners for Walter They want to invest in a liquor store together

George and Joseph Beneatha dates both men during play George is rich, but shallow Joseph is from Africa and a fellow student of Beneatha’s

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?

YOUR TASK Write a well developed paragraph in which you discuss what point the poem makes about dreams that are not accomplished. -Your response should be at least 6 sentences