Setting Cast of Characters

Chicago’s Great Migration Migration from the South contributed to Chicago’s African American community since 1840s City offered few opportunities to these migrants until WWI Offered freedom from legal racial discrimination, BUT Industrial employers turned away African Americans who applied for jobs Only accepted as temporary strikebreakers (meatpacking industry)

Chicago’s Great Migration WWI halted immigration, employers needed laborers Factories opened doors to black workers Options for women were much less Domestic work = higher wages/some independence Migration established foundation of Chicago’s African- American working class, political power, business, union activism

Chicago’s Great Migration Migration’s impact on cultural life: Southern influences blues music Cuisine Churches Family/community associations that link Chicago & the South

Racial Restrictive Covenants on Chicago's South Side agreements that kept Chicago’s neighborhoods white Prohibited African Americans from using, occupying, buying, leasing, or receiving property in certain areas of the city Covenants were declared unconstitutional

South Side of Chicago

A Raisin in the Sun’s Chicago Setting is a ghetto of Chicago, where most African- Americans lived Districts were overpriced, overcrowded, poorly- maintained apartments and homes Crime rates were high, public services limited

A Raisin in the Sun’s Chicago Real estate industry played the largest role in maintaining segregated communities Made enormous profits manipulating white fears of integration & desires to escape ghettos Avg family in ghetto – 10% more in housing taxes/fees

Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who Ruth Younger 30 yrs. old, domestic worker Wife of Walter, mother of Travis Acts as peacemaker in most of family conflicts Normally low-key Only reveals strongest emotions when learns family could move to better neighborhood

Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who Travis Younger 10 yr old son of Walter & Ruth Living in family w/3 generations in conflict Sometimes plays adults against each other A little spoiled, but likeable child

Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who Walter Lee Younger Mid 30s, husband of Ruth, father of Travis, brother of Beneatha, son of Lena (Mama) Works as a chauffer Obsessed w/his dreams of owning his own business Financial independence More valuable human being

Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who Beneatha Younger - 20s, sister of Walter, daughter of Lena - College student planning to go to medical school - Only family member to have opportunity for higher education - Sometimes a little “too much” pride in being an intellectual

Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who Lena Younger (Mama) Head of Younger family Tries to keep everyone together Mother of Walter and Beneatha Wants the family to have a real home

Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who Joseph Asagai African college student from Nigeria One of Beneatha’s suitors Mannerly, good-looking, personable Encourages Beneatha to embrace/be proud of her heritage George Murchison Beneatha’s other boyfriend Also a college student Wealthy background alienates him from poverty of Youngers Encourages Beneatha to give up her African heritage

Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who Mrs. Johnson Negative, insensitive neighbor of the Youngers Karl Lindner Weak, middle-aged white spokesman for white community into which Youngers plan to move Walter Younger Dead husband of Lena Younger, death provides insurance money for Younger family Bobo & Willy Friends of Walter Lee, plan to go into business w/him