FAQs
What is "A Raisin in the Sun" about?
"A Raisin in the Sun" is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that explores the dreams and struggles of the Younger family, an African American family in Chicago, as they seek to improve their lives with an insurance payout. The title of the play references Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem," which asks, "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?" This serves as a metaphor for the family's aspirations in the face of racial discrimination and economic hardship.
Who wrote "A Raisin in the Sun" and when was it written?
"A Raisin in the Sun" is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry. It was completed in 1957 and first produced on Broadway on March 11, 1959, making Hansberry the first African American woman to have a play performed on Broadway. The play was later adapted into a television film in 2008, with the same cast as the 2004 Broadway revival, including Sean Combs, Audra McDonald, and Phylicia Rashad.
What is the location and setting of "A Raisin in the Sun?"
"A Raisin in the Sun" takes place in the South Side neighborhood of Chicago, set in the period between the end of World War II and 1959. This urban environment serves as a microcosm of the challenges faced by the Younger family, including racial segregation, economic struggle, and the pursuit of dreams amidst adversity.
What hot-button issues are explored in "A Raisin in the Sun?"
The play explores racial discrimination as the Younger family faces prejudice and segregation in their quest to move into a predominantly white neighborhood. It also addresses gender issues, challenging traditional roles and expectations of women in the 1950s. The topic of abortion, which was illegal and dangerous at the time, is also brought to the forefront in the play.
Was "A Raisin in the Sun" ever banned?
"A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry has faced challenges and restrictions, but it never faced a nationwide ban. The play was most recently banned from an Oklahoma school district in 2021, along with other works by Black authors. In 2005, "A Raisin in the Sun" was challenged at an Illinois high school on the grounds that it was degrading to African Americans. In 1979, its circulation was restricted in a Utah school district due to its references to abortion. However, despite these challenges, the play continues to be a significant work in American literature.
