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