Full Text A Raisin In The Sun

A Raisin in the Sun: A Full Text Exploration of Dreams Deferred

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is a landmark play that explores themes of racial discrimination, family, and the pursuit of the American Dream against the backdrop of 1950s Chicago. The play's enduring power lies in its realistic portrayal of the Younger family, a Black family struggling to rise above poverty and navigate the complexities of their lives while facing systemic oppression. This full text exploration delves into the play's narrative, characters, key themes, and lasting impact.

Act I: Hope and Tension

The play opens in the cramped, run-down apartment shared by the Younger family: Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, their son Travis, Walter's mother Lena (Mama), and his sister Beneatha. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation as the family awaits a $10,000 life insurance check resulting from the death of Mama's husband. Each member of the family has their own dreams and aspirations tied to this money, creating tension and conflict within the household.

• Walter Lee's Dream: Walter, a chauffeur, yearns to break free from his dead-end job and become a successful businessman. He dreams of investing in a liquor store with his friends, Willy Harris and Bobo Jones, believing that this venture will bring financial independence and respect. His ambition is fueled by a desire to provide a better life for his family and escape the limitations imposed by his race and social class.
• Ruth's Hope: Ruth, exhausted by the daily grind of domestic work and the struggles of raising a family in poverty, hopes the money will provide a more comfortable and stable life for her family. She discovers she is pregnant and contemplates abortion due to the financial strain on the family.
• Beneatha's Ambition: Beneatha, a young and intelligent woman, aspires to become a doctor. She challenges traditional gender roles and seeks to define her identity through education and intellectual pursuits. She is critical of her brother's materialistic aspirations and seeks a deeper understanding of her African heritage.
• Mama's Vision: Mama, the matriarch of the family, dreams of using the money to buy a house in a better neighborhood, a place where her family can have more space and a brighter future. She wants to create a home where her children and grandchildren can thrive, free from the constraints of their current living situation. She also wants to ensure Beneatha has the funds to pursue her education.

The arrival of the check intensifies the conflict as Walter becomes increasingly desperate to convince Mama to invest in his liquor store scheme. Mama, however, is hesitant, worried about the potential risks and the moral implications of such a venture. She believes that investing in a home would be a more responsible and secure way to use the money.

Ruth's pregnancy adds another layer of complexity to the family's already strained situation. The prospect of another child in their overcrowded apartment and their uncertain financial future weighs heavily on her. She considers abortion as a means of coping with the overwhelming pressure.

Beneatha's intellectual pursuits and her exploration of her African heritage provide a contrasting perspective to the family's materialistic concerns. She dates George Murchison, a wealthy and assimilated Black man, and Joseph Asagai, a Nigerian student who introduces her to African culture and encourages her to embrace her roots. Her relationships highlight the different paths available to Black people in America and the complexities of identity and assimilation.

Act II: Dreams Derailed and Choices Made

Act II sees the Youngers moving into their newly purchased home in Clybourne Park, a predominantly white neighborhood. Mama uses a portion of the insurance money as a down payment on the house, fulfilling her dream of providing a better environment for her family. However, her decision sparks further conflict with Walter, who feels betrayed that his dream of owning a liquor store has been denied.

The Youngers' arrival in Clybourne Park is met with resistance from the neighborhood's residents, who are represented by Karl Lindner, a representative from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association. Lindner offers the Youngers money to not move into the neighborhood, revealing the pervasive racism and prejudice that the family faces.

Walter, fueled by resentment and a desire to prove himself, becomes increasingly withdrawn and desperate. He neglects his responsibilities and spends his time drinking and lamenting his lost opportunity. Mama, witnessing her son's despair, entrusts him with the remaining $6,500, instructing him to deposit $3,000 for Beneatha's education and use the remaining $3,500 as he sees fit.

Tragedy strikes when Walter, in a moment of weakness and desperation, invests the entire $6,500 in his liquor store scheme. He and Bobo are swindled by Willy Harris, who runs off with the money, leaving Walter devastated and the family's financial future in ruins.

Beneatha's dream of becoming a doctor is threatened by the loss of the money. She becomes disillusioned with the world and questions the value of her aspirations. Joseph Asagai proposes to her and invites her to return to Nigeria with him, offering her a chance to practice medicine and contribute to the development of her ancestral homeland.

The Act ends with the family grappling with the devastating consequences of Walter's actions. Their dreams seem shattered, and their future hangs in the balance.

Act III: Resilience and Redefinition

Act III focuses on the Youngers' response to the crisis and their ultimate decision to move into Clybourne Park. Despite the loss of the money and the hostility of their new neighbors, the family rallies together and finds strength in their shared values and their determination to persevere.

Walter, initially consumed by guilt and despair, undergoes a transformation. He contemplates accepting Lindner's offer to buy back the house, seeing it as a way to recoup some of the lost money and alleviate the family's financial woes. However, when faced with the prospect of perpetuating the cycle of racial discrimination and sacrificing his family's dignity, he ultimately refuses.

In a pivotal moment of self-discovery, Walter asserts his pride and his commitment to his family's values. He tells Lindner that the Youngers will move into the house, regardless of the consequences. His decision represents a rejection of the materialistic values that had driven him and a reaffirmation of his identity as a Black man with dignity and self-respect.

Beneatha, inspired by Walter's transformation and Asagai's vision of a better future, reconsiders her own aspirations. She realizes that she can make a meaningful contribution to the world, whether in America or Africa.

Mama, witnessing her family's resilience and their commitment to their values, finds solace and hope for the future. She realizes that the true value of the insurance money lies not in its material wealth but in its ability to strengthen the family's bonds and empower them to overcome adversity.

The play ends with the Youngers preparing to move into their new home in Clybourne Park. Despite the challenges they face, they are united in their determination to build a better future for themselves and their community.

Themes Explored in A Raisin in the Sun

• The American Dream: A Raisin in the Sun critically examines the American Dream, highlighting its accessibility to some while remaining a distant promise for others, particularly Black Americans facing systemic barriers. The play shows the different interpretations of the American Dream, ranging from Walter's pursuit of wealth and material success to Mama's desire for a safe and stable home for her family. The play questions whether the American Dream is truly attainable for all, or whether it is a myth perpetuated by a society that perpetuates inequality.
• Racial Discrimination and Prejudice: The play confronts the pervasive racism and prejudice faced by Black Americans in the 1950s. The Youngers' experience in Clybourne Park exemplifies the discriminatory practices and attitudes that limited their opportunities and confined them to segregated communities. Lindner's offer to buy back the house underscores the deep-seated racism that permeated American society and the challenges Black people faced in seeking equal access to housing and opportunity.
• Family and Generational Conflict: The play explores the complex dynamics within the Younger family, highlighting the tensions and conflicts that arise from differing values, aspirations, and experiences. The generational divide between Mama and her children is particularly evident, as they grapple with different perspectives on success, identity, and the best way to navigate the challenges of their time. Despite their differences, the family's love and loyalty to one another ultimately provide them with the strength to overcome adversity.
• Identity and Self-Respect: A Raisin in the Sun examines the importance of identity and self-respect in the face of oppression and discrimination. The characters grapple with questions of who they are and what they stand for, particularly in relation to their race and their social class. Walter's journey of self-discovery is central to this theme, as he learns to value his own dignity and his family's well-being above material wealth.
• Dreams Deferred: The play's title, taken from Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem," speaks to the frustration and despair that can result from dreams deferred. The characters in A Raisin in the Sun all have dreams that are threatened or delayed by the realities of racism, poverty, and social inequality. The play raises questions about the consequences of unfulfilled dreams and the importance of continuing to strive for a better future, even in the face of adversity.
• The Role of Women: The play also highlights the role of women within the Black family and community. Mama is the strong and resilient matriarch who holds the family together and guides them through difficult times. Ruth is a hardworking and devoted wife and mother who struggles to provide for her family. Beneatha is an ambitious and independent woman who challenges traditional gender roles and seeks to define her own identity. The play showcases the strength, resilience, and complexity of Black women in the face of adversity.

The Significance of the Setting

The setting of A Raisin in the Sun is crucial to the play's themes and message. The cramped, run-down apartment on Chicago's South Side symbolizes the limitations and constraints imposed on Black families by poverty and segregation. The apartment is overcrowded, poorly maintained, and lacks the basic amenities that most Americans take for granted. This physical environment reflects the psychological and emotional toll that poverty and discrimination take on the Younger family.

The contrast between the Youngers' apartment and the house in Clybourne Park highlights the stark inequalities between Black and white communities in America. Clybourne Park represents the American Dream, with its spacious homes, well-manicured lawns, and access to better schools and resources. However, the Youngers' experience in Clybourne Park reveals the exclusionary practices and attitudes that prevented Black people from fully participating in the American Dream.

Key Quotes and Their Significance

• "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?" (Langston Hughes' poem, referenced in the play's title): This quote encapsulates the play's central theme of dreams deferred and the potential consequences of unfulfilled aspirations.
• "Once upon a time freedom used to be life - now it's money. I guess the world really do change..." (Mama): This quote reflects Mama's disillusionment with the changing values of society and her concern that her children are becoming too focused on material wealth.
• "Seem like God didn't see fit to give the black man nothing but dreams - but He did give us children to make those dreams seem worthwhile." (Mama): This quote highlights Mama's faith and her belief that children are the hope for the future.
• "There is always something left to love. And if you ain't learned that, you ain't learned nothing." (Mama): This quote emphasizes the importance of love and compassion in the face of adversity.
• "I tell you I am a man! And I think my wife should wear pearls!" (Walter): This quote reveals Walter's desire to provide for his family and his belief that material possessions are a measure of success.
• "Sometimes it's like I can see the future stretched out in front of me - just plain as day. The same old crampy apartment...the same old...everything. You can see it too, Ruthie. Don't you?" (Walter): This quote reflects Walter's frustration with his limited opportunities and his fear of being trapped in a cycle of poverty.
• "Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody? That ain't the time at all. It's when he's at his lowest and can't believe in himself 'cause the world done whipped him so!" (Mama): This quote underscores the importance of supporting loved ones during difficult times.

The Lasting Impact of A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun has had a profound and lasting impact on American theater and culture. The play was groundbreaking for its realistic portrayal of a Black family and its exploration of themes that were rarely addressed on the stage at the time. The play helped to break down racial barriers in the theater industry and paved the way for other Black playwrights and actors.

The play's themes of racial discrimination, family, and the pursuit of the American Dream continue to resonate with audiences today. A Raisin in the Sun remains a powerful and relevant work that challenges us to confront the inequalities in our society and to strive for a more just and equitable future.

The play's success also led to a film adaptation in 1961, which further broadened its reach and impact. The film starred many of the original Broadway cast members, including Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Diana Sands. The film was critically acclaimed and helped to solidify A Raisin in the Sun as a classic of American cinema.

The play has been revived numerous times on Broadway and in regional theaters across the country. Each revival has brought new interpretations and perspectives to the play's themes and characters. A Raisin in the Sun continues to be taught in schools and universities, introducing new generations of students to its powerful message.

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is more than just a play; it is a testament to the resilience, hope, and determination of the human spirit. It is a story that reminds us of the importance of family, community, and the pursuit of our dreams, even in the face of adversity. It is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and challenge audiences for generations to come.