Background, Vocabulary, and Allusion Notes A Raisin in the Sun Background, Vocabulary, and Allusion Notes

Background -Play by Lorraine Hansberry -First published/performed in 1959 -Setting: between 1945-1959; well kept but poor apartment in Southside of Chicago; Black family receives a $10,000 life insurance check -Themes · The value and purpose of dreams, the need to fight racial discrimination, the importance of family

Background -Conflict: The Youngers, a working-class black family, struggle against economic hardship and racial prejudice

Background -Important Characters: -Walter Lee Younger (Protagonist): a dreamer -Beneatha: Walter’s sister; college “Mama” Younger Ruth Younger: Walter’s wife Travis Younger: Ruth and Walter’s son Joseph Asagai and George Murchison: Benaetha’s love interests Karl Lindner: only white character in the play

Plot, Quotes, etc. Play title “I’m a volcano” “Alaiyo” Characterization of all important characters/Static vs. dynamic characters Lorraine Hansberry Plot

-A reference to another work (literature, history, film) Allusion -A reference to another work (literature, history, film)

Prometheus Greek Mythology Created man from clay Gave fire to man Severe punishment from Zeus Walter Lee Younger*

Garbo (The “Garbo Routine”) Greta Garbo Legendary Actress of 1930s Dramatic, mysterious George to Beneatha

Mrs. Miniver Late in play, Mama compared to this fictional character Oscar-winning film (1942) Middle-class housewife Tends roses Strength and hope

Scarlett O’Hara Character in Gone with the Wind Well dressed Novel/film about the fall of the South

Colonel McCormick Owner/publisher of the Chicago Tribune newspaper Prominent Chicago resident

Uncle Tom Reference to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book Black man who accepts the domination of a white man without resistance

Tarzan Popular films Boy raised by apes in African jungle Beneatha comments...what most people know about Africa comes from Tarzan films

Assimilation Giving up aspects of one’s own culture (language, clothing, etc) in order to fit in with the dominant culture

Graft Acquiring money by illegal or unfair means Blackmail; bribe

Pan-Africanism -Belief/movement that encourages solidarity among Africans worldwide -Unity is necessary for social, political, and economic progress

Ghetto A poor, neglected, disadvantaged part of a city

Peachy-keen -Popular phrase used by white teens during 1950’s - “That’s very good...”

Epitaph Inscription on a tomb stone