A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

A Raisin in the Sun, a play by Lorraine Hansberry illustrates the life of an African American family living in Chicago. Each of the family members hold a dream, that is unique and different in it’s own ways, but it roots to the simple fact - to live a better life. One day, they have gotten a chance to fulfill that dream. It was the insurance check of $10,000 from the death of a grandfather in the family. Will they be able to fulfill their dream? 

The story takes place in a time where ethnic minorities were discriminated against by society. The story is also based on Hansberry’s childhood’s experience. The title is taken from Langston Hughes’ poem, Dream Deferred from Harlem. Both Langston Hughes and Lorraine Hansberry were writers and authors that represented the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural flourish within the African Americans living in the United States. The story is also based on Hansberry’s childhood’s experience. 

The theme of this play isn't just racism. They also include social status problems, economic disparity, feminism, sexual prejudice, and more. But all of these we still deal with. This play conveys so many important messages that we should understand and acknowledge today. 

 I really enjoyed the play as the ending was pretty unpredictable for some characters. I liked how each character had a story behind it which has allowed me to dive in deeper to the setting of the story. I would like to recommend this book to everyone, since it conveys a strong message to people of all ages and races. Younger kids might want to look at the movie version of this, since the book contains complex vocabularies and plots.

Review written by Yuuto, Grade 9