A Raisin in the Sun

1. A Raisin in the Sun By Lorraine Hansberry

2. Lorraine Hansberry • From the day she was born on May 19, 1930, challenging “the system” was part of the Lorraine Hansberry’s way of life. • Birth certificate • The Hansberry household was in no way typical to the South Side of Chicago. Many famous African-Americans during that time made frequent visits to the house. • When Lorraine was eight years old, the family had just moved into a predominantly white neighborhood, and her father was in the midst of the landmark Supreme Court case Hansberry v Lee involving housing discrimination.

3. Lorraine Hansberry • In June of 1952, she met a young man named Robert Nemiroff. On June 20, 1953, they were married in Chicago. • Hansberry's dedication to writing paid off when her first play won popular and critical acclaim. A Raisin in the Sun won the Drama Critics Circle Award for 1958-1959. • Some of her other works include the screenplay Drinking Gourd and the autobiographical piece To Be Young, Gifted, and Black. • On January 12, 1965, Lorraine Hansberry died an early death at the age of 34 after a struggle with pancreatic cancer.

4. A Raisin in the Sun • Who: the Younger family • What: They received an insurance check from the bank because Walter Lee Sr. died. The play follows the family’s choices and dreams about what they should do with the money. • When: sometime between WWII and the Civil Rights Movement. • Where: Southside Chicago, Illinois

5. Family Tree/Cast of Characters • Walter Lee Younger Sr. (Big Walter) Lena Younger (Mama) Ruth Younger Walter Lee Jr. Beneatha Younger (Bennie) Joseph Asagai George Murchison Travis Younger Baby? *Mrs. Johnson *Bobo *Mr. & Mrs. Arnold *Willy Harris *Mr. Karl Lindner