A Raisin in the Sun
📘 About This Book
A Raisin in the Sun is a classic American play: a groundbreaking 1950s civil rights drama and has a strong claim to be the greatest play of the black American experience. Deeply committed to the black struggle for equality and human rights, Lorraine Hansberry's brilliant career as a writer was cut short by her death when she was only 34. A Raisin in the Sun was the first play written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway and won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. Hansberry was the youngest and the first black writer to receive this award. She was also the first person to be called 'young, gifted and black'. The play is set in south side Chicago, where Walter Lee, a black chauffeur, dreams of a better life, and hopes to use his father's life insurance money to open a liquor store. Humane and heart-rending, the play depicts characters and a whole society with complexity and reality. This Student Edition features expert and helpful annotation, including a scene-by-scene summary, a detailed commentary on the dramatic, social and political context, and on the themes, characters, language and structure of the play, as well as a list of suggested reading and questions for further study and a review of performance history.
📖 Summary
Lorraine Hansberry's landmark work stands as a timeless masterpiece of American literature and drama. Published in 2015 within this specific edition format, the book preserves a groundbreaking 1950s civil rights drama that holds a profound and enduring claim to being the greatest play of the Black American experience. Set against the backdrop of the South Side of Chicago during an era of rigid segregation and social barriers, the narrative captures the struggles, aspirations, and quiet resilience of an ordinary family trying to claim their share of the American dream. At the center of the story is Walter Lee, a hardworking Black chauffeur whose burning ambition is to secure a better life for his family. He pins his immense hopes on an impending insurance payout stemming from his late father's passing, intending to use the funds to invest in a business partnership and open a liquor store. However, Walter Lee is not the only member of the household with visions for the future. The entire family must navigate conflicting desires, pressing financial pressures, and the harsh realities of systemic prejudice. Through its sharp dialogue and deeply human characterizations, the play illuminates the immense weight of the Black struggle for equality and human rights, transforming a domestic family portrait into a sweeping exploration of dignity, pride, and generational perseverance. Hansberry's brilliant career was tragically cut short by her untimely death at the age of thirty-four, yet her literary legacy remains towering. Upon its original theatrical debut, A Raisin in the Sun shattered historical barriers by becoming the very first play written by a Black woman to be produced on Broadway. The production achieved critical acclaim, earning the prestigious New York Drama Critics Circle Award and making Hansberry both the youngest and the first Black writer to receive that distinguished honor. Furthermore, her legacy is permanently intertwined with the phrase young, gifted, and black, a title first bestowed upon her that continues to inspire generations. This published edition allows readers to experience the raw emotional power of Hansberry's staging and prose directly on the page, offering deep insights into mid-century American society and the enduring quest for human dignity.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Groundbreaking historical significance in American theatre
Deeply authentic and memorable character portrayals
Powerful exploration of civil rights and human dignity
Brilliant dialogue that captures mid-century social realities
⚠️ Cons
Play format may not appeal to readers who prefer traditional novels
Short page count leaves readers wanting more of the author's work
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who wrote A Raisin in the Sun? +
The play was written by Lorraine Hansberry.
When was this specific edition published? +
This edition was published in 2015 and spans 208 pages.
Where is the play set? +
The story is set on the South Side of Chicago during the 1950s.
What historical milestone did the play achieve on Broadway? +
It was the first play written by a Black woman to be produced on Broadway.
What award did Lorraine Hansberry win for the play? +
She won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, becoming the youngest and first Black writer to receive it.
