1. An Introduction to A Raisin in the Sun

2. Author: Lorraine Hansberry
May 19, 1930-Jan. 12, 1965 (age 34 at death)
born in Chicago, and lived most of her life there
middle-class family (father-real estate broker, mother- teacher)
attended college at the University of Wisconsin
moved to New York and started writing

3. A Raisin in the Sun
was awarded the New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1959 (Hansberry was the first black writer, the youngest person and the fifth woman ever to win award)
play explores the dreams and frustrations of an urban family struggling for a better life
opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater on March 11, 1959 and was an instant success - Hansberry became a celebrity overnight.

4. Epigraph
Epigraph- quotation placed at the beginning of a book or play which makes a comment about the theme
the poem at the beginning of the play was written by Langston Hughes
the poem is entitled “Harlem”

5. What Is Drama? literature written for performance before an audience
With drama, there is suspension of disbelief -process of becoming caught up in drama so that the viewer forgets that the drama is not real

6. Major Elements
Plot
Setting
Character
Theme

7. About the Play Hansberry first titled the play The Crystal Stair
Setting: Chicago, during the 1950’s
Characters: the Younger family

8. Themes Dreams can either save or destroy a person.
It is crucial to develop and fight for your own values and ideals.
The family is the most important relationship in most people’s lives.
It is better to fight with dignity than surrender in shame.
One can start over at any age.

9. Vocabulary-Act 1
Vocabulary Act 1-A Raisin in the Sun