A Raisin in the Sun

Background, Vocabulary, and Allusion Notes

Background -Play by Lorraine Hansberry

-First published/performed in 1959

-Setting: between 1945-1959; well kept but poor apartment in Southside of Chicago;

Black family receives a $10,000 life insurance check

-Themes  · The value and purpose of dreams, the need to fight racial

discrimination, the importance of family

Background-Conflict: The Youngers, a working-class black family, struggle against

economic hardship and racial prejudice

Background-Important Characters: -Walter Lee Younger (Protagonist): a dreamer

-Beneatha: Walter’s sister; college

-“Mama” Younger

-Ruth Younger: Walter’s wife

-Travis Younger: Ruth and Walter’s son

-Joseph Asagai and George Murchison: Benaetha’s love interests

-Karl Lindner: only white character in the play

Plot, Quotes, etc.•Play title•“I’m a volcano”•“Alaiyo”•Characterization of all important

characters/Static vs. dynamic characters•Lorraine Hansberry•Plot

Allusion-A reference to another work

(literature, history, film)

PrometheusGreek MythologyCreated man from clayGave fire to manSevere punishment from ZeusWalter Lee Younger*

Garbo (The “Garbo Routine”)

Greta GarboLegendary Actress of 1930sDramatic, mysteriousGeorge to Beneatha

Mrs. MiniverLate in play, Mama compared to this fictional characterOscar-winning film (1942)Middle-class housewifeTends rosesStrength and hope

Scarlett O’HaraCharacter in Gone with the WindWell dressedNovel/film about the fall of the South

Colonel McCormick

Owner/publisher of the Chicago Tribune newspaperProminent Chicago resident

Uncle Tom

Reference to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s bookBlack man who accepts the domination of a white man without resistance

TarzanPopular filmsBoy raised by apes in African jungle Beneatha comments...what most people know about Africa comes from Tarzan films

AssimilationGiving up aspects of one’s own culture (language, clothing, etc) in order to fit in with the dominant culture

GraftAcquiring money by illegal or unfair meansBlackmail; bribe

Pan-Africanism

-Belief/movement that encourages solidarity among Africans worldwide

-Unity is necessary for social, political, and economic progress

Ghetto

A poor, neglected, disadvantaged part of a city

Peachy-keen

-Popular phrase used by white teens during 1950’s

- “That’s very good...”

Epitaph

Inscription on a tomb stone