A Raisin in the Sun

1. A Raisin in the Sun Setting Cast of Characters

2. Chicago’s Great Migration • Migration from the South contributed to Chicago’s African American community since 1840s • City offered few opportunities to these migrants until WWI • Offered freedom from legal racial discrimination, BUT • Industrial employers turned away African Americans who applied for jobs • Only accepted as temporary strikebreakers (meatpacking industry)

3. Chicago’s Great Migration • WWI halted immigration, employers needed laborers • Factories opened doors to black workers • Options for women were much less • Domestic work = higher wages/some independence • Migration established foundation of Chicago’s African-American working class, political power, business, union activism

4. Chicago’s Great Migration • Migration’s impact on cultural life: • Southern influences • blues music • Cuisine • Churches • Family/community associations that link Chicago & the South

5. Racial Restrictive Covenants on Chicago's South Side • 1916-1948 agreements that kept Chicago’s neighborhoods white • Prohibited African Americans from using, occupying, buying, leasing, or receiving property in certain areas of the city • Covenants were declared unconstitutional

6. South Side of Chicago

9. A Raisin in the Sun’s Chicago • Setting is a ghetto of Chicago, where most African-Americans lived • Districts were overpriced, overcrowded, poorly-maintained apartments and homes • Crime rates were high, public services limited

10. A Raisin in the Sun’s Chicago • Real estate industry played the largest role in maintaining segregated communities • Made enormous profits manipulating white fears of integration & desires to escape ghettos • Avg family in ghetto – 10% more in housing taxes/fees

11. Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who • Ruth Younger • 30 yrs. old, domestic worker • Wife of Walter, mother of Travis • Acts as peacemaker in most of family conflicts • Normally low-key • Only reveals strongest emotions when learns family could move to better neighborhood

12. Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who • Travis Younger • 10 yr old son of Walter & Ruth • Living in family w/3 generations in conflict • Sometimes plays adults against each other • A little spoiled, but likeable child

13. Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who • Walter Lee Younger • Mid 30s, husband of Ruth, father of Travis, brother of Beneatha, son of Lena (Mama) • Works as a chauffer • Obsessed w/his dreams of owning his own business • Financial independence • More valuable human being

14. Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who • Beneatha Younger • 20s, sister of Walter, daughter of Lena • College student planning to go to medical school • Only family member to have opportunity for higher education • Sometimes a little “too much” pride in being an intellectual

15. Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who • Lena Younger (Mama) • Head of Younger family • Tries to keep everyone together • Mother of Walter and Beneatha • Wants the family to have a real home

16. Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who • Joseph Asagai • African college student from Nigeria • One of Beneatha’s suitors • Mannerly, good-looking, personable • Encourages Beneatha to embrace/be proud of her heritage • George Murchison • Beneatha’s other boyfriend • Also a college student • Wealthy background alienates him from poverty of Youngers • Encourages Beneatha to give up her African heritage

17. Raisin in the Sun – Who’s Who • Mrs. Johnson • Negative, insensitive neighbor of the Youngers • Karl Lindner • Weak, middle-aged white spokesman for white community into which Youngers plan to move • Walter Younger • Dead husband of Lena Younger, death provides insurance money for Younger family • Bobo & Willy • Friends of Walter Lee, plan to go into business w/him