Book Review: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

Introduction

First performed on Broadway in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun was the first play written by an African American woman to be produced on the Broadway stage. The play takes its title from Langston Hughes’s poem “Harlem,” which asks, “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?”

Hansberry’s work explores that question through the story of the Younger family, a Black working-class household in Chicago during the 1950s. The play examines race, family, class, gender, and the pursuit of the American Dream — themes that remain powerfully relevant today.

Plot Summary

The Younger family lives in a cramped apartment on Chicago’s South Side. Lena Younger (Mama) is the family matriarch, living with her son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, their young son Travis, and her daughter Beneatha. The family is awaiting a $10,000 life insurance check after the death of Mama’s husband.

Each family member dreams of a better life. Mama wants to use the money to buy a house — a long-held dream she shared with her late husband. Walter Lee, a chauffeur, dreams of investing in a liquor store to lift the family out of poverty. Beneatha, the most educated, aspires to become a doctor and break free from traditional gender roles.

Conflict erupts as their dreams collide. Ruth, weary from poverty and an unfulfilling marriage, considers abortion after discovering she’s pregnant. Walter feels emasculated by his lack of financial control and begins resenting his family’s resistance to his business plan.

When Mama uses part of the insurance money to buy a house in Clybourne Park — a white neighborhood — the family faces racism directly. A representative from the neighborhood association, Mr. Lindner, visits and offers to buy them out, claiming the white residents don’t want them there.

Meanwhile, Walter loses the remaining money when his business partner runs off with it, destroying the family’s financial security. Despite this devastating blow, the family unites. In the end, Walter rejects Lindner’s offer and chooses dignity and pride over fear. The Youngers prepare to move into their new home, uncertain of the future but determined to face it together.

Themes

1. The American Dream

Each character’s dream reflects different interpretations of success and freedom. Mama dreams of homeownership, a symbol of stability and progress. Walter dreams of wealth and independence. Beneatha dreams of education and self-realization. Hansberry shows that systemic racism often obstructs these dreams.

2. Race and Discrimination

Racism shapes the Younger family’s struggles — from economic limitations to housing segregation. The confrontation with Mr. Lindner reveals how deeply racism permeated even seemingly “polite” American society.

3. Family and Generational Conflict

The Younger family’s tensions reflect generational shifts. Mama’s traditional values clash with Walter’s ambition and Beneatha’s modern ideas. Despite conflicts, the play celebrates the family’s unity and resilience.

4. Gender and Identity

Beneatha challenges traditional gender roles and explores her African heritage, embodying emerging feminist ideals. Ruth’s struggle with her pregnancy and exhaustion underscores the burden placed on working-class women.

5. Pride and Dignity

When Walter rejects Lindner’s offer, it’s a powerful moment of moral triumph. The Younger family reclaims its dignity, showing that self-respect is more valuable than financial comfort.

Character Analysis

Lena Younger (Mama)

The moral and emotional anchor of the family. Her faith, compassion, and sense of duty guide the Younger family through crisis. Her dream of owning a home symbolizes generational progress and maternal love.

Walter Lee Younger

A complex and deeply human character. Walter’s frustration stems from the systemic barriers that limit Black men’s opportunities. His journey from bitterness to moral awakening gives the play its emotional power.

Ruth Younger

Practical and weary, Ruth represents the daily struggles of survival. Her quiet strength and eventual support for Mama’s decision reflect her hope for stability and peace.

Beneatha Younger

Ambitious and outspoken, Beneatha represents a new generation of Black women seeking education, independence, and self-definition. Her relationships — one with George Murchison (assimilationist) and another with Joseph Asagai (Afrocentric idealist) — highlight her internal conflict about identity.

Travis Younger

Symbolizes the future and hope of the family. The family’s sacrifices center around giving him a better life.

Mr. Lindner

The polite face of systemic racism. His “offer” to buy the Youngers out exposes how racism operates under a mask of civility.

Style and Symbolism

Hansberry uses naturalistic dialogue that captures the rhythm of everyday Black family life. The play’s setting — a small, crowded apartment — becomes a metaphor for confinement, both physical and social.

Symbolism:

• The plant: Mama’s struggling plant represents her care for her family and her dream for growth and life despite harsh conditions.
• The insurance check: Represents both hope and conflict — a chance for freedom and a source of division.
• The house: Symbolizes the American Dream and the fight for dignity in a racist society.

Why A Raisin in the Sun Still Matters

Hansberry’s play remains relevant for its unflinching look at race, class, gender, and economic inequality. Its exploration of deferred dreams speaks directly to contemporary audiences. The work’s emotional depth and universal themes make it both a social critique and a celebration of resilience.

Homework Questions & Answers

Q1: What does the title “A Raisin in the Sun” mean?
A1: It comes from Langston Hughes’s poem “Harlem,” which asks what happens to a dream deferred. The “raisin” represents dreams that dry up or decay when delayed by systemic barriers.

Q2: Why is Walter’s decision to reject Lindner’s offer important?
A2: It represents Walter’s moral growth and the family’s refusal to be bought or controlled by racism. The choice restores their dignity and unity.

Q3: How does Beneatha’s character challenge societal norms?
A3: Beneatha rejects traditional gender roles, pursues a career in medicine, and explores her African identity, challenging assimilation and sexism.

Q4: What role does Mama’s plant play in the story?
A4: The plant symbolizes Mama’s nurturing spirit and her perseverance in caring for her family and their dreams, even in adversity.

Q5: What message does the play send about the American Dream?
A5: Hansberry critiques the limitations of the American Dream for marginalized groups but also suggests that dignity, unity, and perseverance are powerful forms of success.

Conclusion

“A Raisin in the Sun” is a powerful exploration of race, identity, and hope in the face of oppression. Hansberry’s portrayal of the Younger family captures both the pain and the possibility of pursuing one’s dreams in America. The play’s enduring relevance lies in its honesty — showing that while dreams may be deferred, they do not have to die.