A Raisin in the Sun Review Ben Dahlberg

A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, is set in Harlem and explores the concept or them of a “dream deferred,” referring to the unsuccessfulness of one’s plans to become wealthy due to the overall well being of the whole family.  It explores this conflict in a hard-working black family living in Harlem in 1959, and their struggles in the midst of racially segregated housing in this once corrupt city. 

Hansberry did, after all go through similar struggles.  As a child, her family was heavily involved in legal battles fighting this topic of segregation with respect to housing in Chicago.  However, she eventually pursued a writing career in New York City and overcame these childhood struggles, and was a famous playwright, basing many plays off of the topic of segregation.

As for the play, it is a twist of many characters that all have something different to offer, adding to the completeness of the family.  Walter plays the role of the selfish, yet determined entrepreneurial figure, convincing the rest of his disagreeing family that his plan for an liquor store will work.  On the other hand, Mama is a motherly figure, her main concern being the whole family.  Walter’s wife, Ruth takes on a similar role to Mama in that she is concerned heavily with her relationship to Walter as well as their son, Travis who remains somewhat neutral to the situation.  Beneatha, in a way plays a less important role in keeping the play somewhat romantic, with her “boy troubles,” including her fluctuating opinions on the African cultural figure of Asagai.

All throughout the play, these characters react to each other to create a family that may seem far apart at times, but ultimately stays together with the overall support for each other.  Aside from this, white characters play the role of the “bearer of bad news,” in this case giving this hopeful family reason to believe that they are not wanted.

The use of Ebonics in the play contributes to the style in that it works to authenticate the language and really illustrate the language of this family, and adds to character development.  For example, when Walter complains about his eggs, his use of Ebonics in his language adds to his overall unwillingness to put up with whoever disagrees or disturbs him.

This play is sometimes at a loss for happiness, but is ultimately satisfying, showing that a family that goes through so much adversity can ultimately overcome it only through the overall cooperation of everyone.  The recommended audience would be anybody who enjoys drama and going though hardship, but is not only limited to that.