A raisin in the sun

INTRODUCTION

Lorraine Hansberry’s play, “A raisin in the Sun” was loosely based on Hansberry’s family housing
fight. The Hansberry’s 1938 move to the predominantly white Woodlawn neighbourhood of Chicago
prompted their neighbours to enforce a “restrictive covenant” which stated that no real estate was
to be sold to people of the coloured race.

The play, while referencing physical attacks on black residents of white neighbourhoods, also
focusses on more subtle forms of discrimination.

CHARATCERS

- Black America was divided into two views at that time. The view of Booker T Washington,
who believed in accommodation, as well as the view of DuBois, who believed in using
agitation to bring about change.
- These two views divided Black America at that time between “conservatives” and “radicals.”
- Although the characters have the common yearning for their liberation, each of them have
different ideas and assert themselves in their own manner.

WALTER – Agitation.
- Aspiring business owner caught in the wrong job.
- Goes through the most significant change in the play.
- Emotional, outspoken and passionate personality.
- Lean and fidgety.
- Walter expresses a need to provide for his family, and to become the authority of the house.
- Pursues his goals selfishly – imagining himself becoming a rich businessman- and out of
concern for his family.

RUTH – Accommodation, too tired to fight back.

- Weary.
- Approaches life with resignation and practicality. Stage directions depict this.
- Works as a cleaning woman for a white family.
- Defeated in the beginning, with a lack of control over her life.
- Shows hope as play progresses, wants to rekindle relationship with Walter

MAMA – Accommodation, believes in having respect and showing kindness towards others.

- Devoted to her family and religious faith.

- Struggles to relate to her children, the younger generation.
- Both of them have different values.
- Despite being widowed and living in poverty, Mama remains optimistic.

BENEATHA – Agitation. Does not want to comply or assimilate to white dominant culture.

- Represents a new generation for African American people; smart and unafraid.
- Character arc foreshadows the coming civil rights movement.
- She differs from the older youngers in her pursuit of formal education and her “modern”
ideas.
- Refuses to believe In God as she sees the suffering in the world.
- Approaches the world with critical and even cynical eye.

GEOGRE MURCHISON AND ASAGAI

- Function as contrasting characters, for different aspects of Beneatha’s personality, and

opposing views of African American culture in general.