1. A Raisin in the Sun: Journal Entry
On the back of your Study Guide, to be graded with Anticipation guide:
What would happen if you got ten thousand dollars in the mail? What would you want to do with it?
What do you think your family would want to do with it?
Do you think you would all agree? Why or why not?

2. A Raisin in the Sun
Lorraine Hansberry

3. Hansberry’s background 1930-1965
Born May 19, 1930 in Chicago
Youngest of four children
Moved to an all-white neighborhood at 8
Fought racism all her life (the brick example)
Married Robert Neimeroff, a white, Jewish man (controversial for the time)
She was an active protester and crusader

4. Plot Basics
Explores the struggles of ordinary people to achieve their desires
The story of the Youngers, a Southside Chicago family trying to survive in cramped quarters.
When Mama gets a $10,000 check from her husband's life insurance, they consider moving to a larger house in a white suburb.

5. A Raisin in the Sun: Background
African Americans faced discrimination in housing: White people living in certain neighborhoods all agreed not to sell their homes to African Americans.

6. Hansberry’s themes
Equal treatment for the repressed, socially, personally, politically, religiously, regardless of race or gender
She felt strongly about individual rights and freedom, but was not a militant writer and author

7. “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?

8. A Raisin in the Sun: Summary
Set in Chicago’s poor south side
A small two-bedroom apartment
The family has just inherited a $10,000 insurance settlement check explores the struggles of ordinary people to achieve their desires .
How to use this money is the point of contention
Each individual in the play (and there are many) want something different for the money (their lives)
The story of the Youngers, a Southside Chicago family trying to survive in cramped quarters

9. The Characters

10. Cast of Characters
Lena Younger (Mama) – God-fearing mother of Walter, refuses to give up in the face of adversity
Walter Lee Younger – 35-year-old chauffeur who longs to improve himself to reap the same rewards that white people enjoy
Ruth – Walter’s humble and devoted wife
Beneatha – Walter’s 26-year-old sister, articulate and ambitious college student, hopes to become a physician
Travis – Walter and Ruth’s son, friendly boy of 10 or 11
Mr. Lindner - white man who attempts to prevent the Youngers from moving into his neighborhood

11. Cast of Characters
Joseph Agasai – cultured, well-spoken Nigerian who courts Beneatha
George Murchison – rich Chicagoan who also courts Beneatha
Bobo – Walter’s friend, they plan to open a liquor store
Willy – Walter and Bobo's business partner, runs off with Walter and Bobo's money (Willy has no speaking part in the play) 
Furniture Mover – comes to the Youngers' apartment to move their belongings to their new house  

12. Symbols of A Raisin in the Sun
The apartment
The plant
The $10,000
Ruth’s pregnancy
Beneatha’s hair
Beneatha’s clothing
Liquor store
Education
Clybourne Park
Abortion
Each major character
Each minor character
Title of the play
The sun

13. Themes in A Raisin in the Sun
What it means to have dreams
Maintaining pride
Importance of communication
Importance of love and respect
Individuality and individual peace
Respect for the family structure
Respect for humanity and life

14. Themes in A Raisin in the Sun
Faith
Compromise
Evils of racial prejudice
Money can’t buy happiness
Importance of dreams

15. Important historical elements
The Harlem Renaissance of 1920s
In the 1950s, African Americans faced a lot of discrimination.
Racially motivated lynchings, bombings, and fires were not uncommon.
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s

16. Closing thoughts Whose side are you on in the insurance debate?
Who can you most identify with at the conclusion?