Lorraine Hansberry Is An African American Play Writer Who

Lorraine Hansberry is an African American play writer who wrote the play â€Å"A Raisin in the Sun.† The Play highlights the lives of a lower-class Black American family in the 1950s living under racial segregation and oppression in Chicago. The title of the play was inspired from the poem â€Å"Harlem† by Langston Hughes. The poem questions â€Å"What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?† (Hansberry, 2013, p. 976). The protagonist, Walter Lee Younger, struggles internally with dissatisfaction of obtaining his dream of becoming successful. The play transitions of the tone of the protagonist as being defiant, argumentative, inattentive, in which; he experiences an epiphany and has a brighter perception that the most†¦show more content†¦The protagonist, Walter Lee Younger, a chauffeur, wants to achieve economic freedom by becoming successful through owning his own business. During this time, racial oppression prevented Afr ican American from being an owner of a business. Beneatha Younger, his sister, is a college student that wants to use the money to pursue medical school and become a doctor. In addition, an African American female pursuing a doctorate degree was unlikely. Mama Younger and Ruth Younger wants to have stability for the family by living in a house. Though, the affordable home is in a white neighborhood. African American families wouldn’t move into white neighborhoods because of racial discrimination. In a way, the dreams are similar. The family is fighting oppression of racism by using the money to break societal barriers. The Younger family struggle to attain these dreams. Through the protagonist, the theme of family unification is prominent which is displayed in his internal conflict where he threatens to belittle his family pride to gain personal success. Mama Walter’s plant is symbolic which is seen throughout the play. In the first scene, she is attracted and concerned about the plant. She provides nourishment and care, but complains that the plant needs more sunlight so it can grow and blossom. Even though not grown under the best environment, the plant does not perish under herShow MoreRelatedLorraine Hansberry s Life As A Whole1461 Words   |  6 Pagesidentified Lorraine Hansberry’s life as a whole. Hansberry was born on May 19, 1930 in Chicago. She was the third youngest out of seven siblings. Her parents contributed a large amount of money to NAACP and the Urban League, because of this Hansberry was never comfortable with her rich girl status, so instead she identified herself as â€Å"poor†. She was admired by the children who were so often independent and matured which she imitated. Later on in Hansberry early life, 1938, the Hansberry moved intoRead MoreRacial Segregation, By Lorraine Hansberry1248 Wo rds   |  5 Pagesthe dreams seem worthwhile,† once stated by Lorraine Hansberry. Racial segregation has been a huge topic in our society. Believe it or not, just a few decades ago African American people did not have the basic equality rights that white citizens were given. Something as simple as having a dream to become an author seemed out of reach; even impossible some might have said. Living in this kind of a world was unfortunately a reality for Lorraine Hansberry. Growing up she lived in a world of racial segregationRead MoreLorraine Hansberry s A Raisin1474 Words   |  6 PagesLorraine Hansberry created the play A Raisin in the Sun. A Raisin in the Sun recounts an anecdote about The Youngers who is a poor African American family living on the Southside of Chicago. A chance to escape from neediness comes as a $10,000 extra security watch that the female authority of the family (Lena/Mama) gets upon her significant other s passing. Lena s kids, Walter and Beneatha, e ach have plans with the cash. The most established child, Walter (a man of 35 with a spouse and a youthfulRead MoreLorraine Hansberry1192 Words   |  5 PagesLorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun The characters in Lorraine Hansberrys play are very significant in understanding the play. The characters are examples of they way Lorraine lived day by day her live when she was a kid. The success of the play was brought out by the characters and her way of keeping our interest with each one of them. They characters are very critical in understanding the play. There were four main characters that made the play a sellout, Lena, Ruth, Beneatha and WalterRead MoreCharacters in Raisin in the Sun Essay876 Words   |  4 PagesCharacters in Raisin in the Sun The characters in Lorraine Hansberry^s play are very significant in understanding the play. The characters are examples of they way Lorraine lived day by day her live when she was a kid. The success of the play was brought out by the characters and her way of keeping our interest with each one of them. They characters are very critical in understanding the play. There were four main characters that made the play a sellout, Lena, Ruth, Beneatha and Walter Lee. EachRead MoreAnalysis Of A Raisin In The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry1158 Words   |  5 Pagesincredible play A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry. To further understand the play please read the text below about the background of Hansberry’s life, living conditions in the era that the play took place, and reviews written about the play. Lorraine Hansberry was a playwright and a writer. She was born in Chicago May 19, 1930 in Chicago, and she grew up in the Woodlawn neighborhood in the South side of Chicago. Her parents were well known civil rights activists; Carl Hansberry (herRead More Lorraine Hansberry Essay555 Words   |  3 Pagesfirst play, A Raisin In the Sun, is based on her childhood experiences of desegregating a white neighborhood. It won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award as Best Play of the Year. She was the youngest American, the fifth woman and the first black to win the award. Her success opened the floodgates for a generation of modern black actors and writers who were influenced and encouraged by her writing. Hansberry was born in 1930, the youngest of four children of Carl and Nannie Hansberry, a respectedRead MoreThe Groundbreaking Movement. What Did An International1223 Words   |  5 Pagesfor the African American citizens who encountered prejudice complexities when trying to have their talents acknowledged? The discovery of Social Realism emerges. This was a universal societal movement that flourished during the time of global economic depression. In the event of the country’s pecuniary setbacks, this was a vital and prosperous movement that helped explore the realities of life for humankind. As known, this movement was the most unsurpassed development for the African American communityRead MoreLorraine Hansberry s A Raisin982 Words   |  4 Pagesis that they might be dead. In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, the author, Lorraine Hansberry, choose to name her play from a famous poem by Langston Hughes. It is difficult to really know why she choose Hughes’ poem but ther e are reasons to infer. Lorraine Hansberry choose to name her play after Langston Hughes’ poem because of what the poem meant and that poem closely related to the characters within the play. Langston Hughes was one of the most important writers and thinkers of the Harlem RenaissanceRead More Racism and the American Dream in Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun1340 Words   |  6 Pageswritten by a famous African- American play write, Lorraine Hansberry, in 1959. It was a first play written by a black woman and directed by a black man, Lloyd Richards, on Broadway in New York. The story of A Raisin in the Sun is based on Lorraine Hansberry’s own early life experiences, from which she and her whole family had to suffer, in Chicago. Hansberry’s father, Carol Hansberry, also fought a legal battle against a racial restrictive covenant that attempted to stop African- American families from