A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry tells the story of the Younger family, who live in a small Chicago apartment and await a $10,000 insurance payout following the death of Walter Younger Sr. The family dreams of how the money could improve their lives while confronting community resistance and financial mishaps, ultimately striving to maintain dignity in the face of racial adversity. The play addresses themes of racism and slavery.

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is widely praised for its powerful portrayal of racial and economic struggles in mid-20th century America, resonating deeply with modern audiences. Critics laud its realistic characters and emotional depth, though some note the pacing can feel slow. Overall, it remains a compelling, seminal work in American theater.

Readers who appreciate A Raisin in the Sun are often drawn to powerful narratives about racial and social struggles. Fans of To Kill a Mockingbird and The Color Purple will find resonance in Hansberry's exploration of African American family life and dreams in 1950s Chicago. Ideal for those who value poignant, character-driven stories with social themes.

Challenging / Inspirational / Emotional / Bittersweet / Hopeful

- A Raisin in the Sun was the first play on Broadway written by an African American woman, making its debut in 1959 and breaking ground in American theater.
- The title A Raisin in the Sun is taken from Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem," which questions what happens to a dream deferred.
- Lorraine Hansberry's work was inspired by her family's own experience with housing discrimination in Chicago, leading to a landmark Supreme Court case, Hansberry v. Lee, in 1940.

**Walter Lee Younger**  
Walter Lee is a lean, intense young man in his mid-thirties, working as a chauffeur to support his family. He struggles with his role in the family and his aspirations, feeling beaten down by life as a Black man in 1950s America.

**Beneatha Younger**  
Beneatha, Walter's sister, is a young woman in her twenties pursuing a college education. She dreams of becoming a doctor and is torn between two suitors who represent different cultural identities.

**Lena Younger (Mama)**  
Mama is the strong matriarch of the Younger family, in her early sixties. She dreams of providing a better future for her family, symbolized by a house where they can set down roots.

**Ruth Younger**  
Ruth, Walter's wife, is a hardworking woman around thirty years old. She supports her family while coping with her husband's preoccupation with his own dreams and her own personal sacrifices.

**Joseph Asagai**  
Asagai is a Nigerian college student who is romantically interested in Beneatha. He offers Beneatha a connection to her African roots and cultural identity.

**George Murchison**  
George is a wealthy, young Black man dating Beneatha, who has assimilated into white American society. He faces criticism from Beneatha for his lack of interest in African heritage.

**Travis Younger**  
Travis is the young son of Walter and Ruth, a well-behaved boy who dreams of having his own room in a house. His character represents hope and the future.

**Karl Lindner**  
Lindner is a middle-aged white man representing the Clybourne Park Welcome Committee, who visits the Youngers with a controversial offer related to their new home.

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