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A Raisin in the Sun

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1959

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Book Brief

Lorraine Hansberry

A Raisin in the Sun

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1959
Book Details
Pages

151

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Chicago, Illinois • 1950s

Publication Year

1959

Publisher

Random House

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

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Super Short Summary

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry tells the story of the Younger family, who live in a small Chicago apartment and await a $10,000 insurance payout following the death of Walter Younger Sr. The family dreams of how the money could improve their lives while confronting community resistance and financial mishaps, ultimately striving to maintain dignity in the face of racial adversity. The play addresses themes of racism and slavery.

Challenging

Inspirational

Emotional

Bittersweet

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.2

107,613 ratings

68%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is widely praised for its powerful portrayal of racial and economic struggles in mid-20th century America, resonating deeply with modern audiences. Critics laud its realistic characters and emotional depth, though some note the pacing can feel slow. Overall, it remains a compelling, seminal work in American theater.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Raisin in the Sun?

Readers who appreciate A Raisin in the Sun are often drawn to powerful narratives about racial and social struggles. Fans of To Kill a Mockingbird and The Color Purple will find resonance in Hansberry's exploration of African American family life and dreams in 1950s Chicago. Ideal for those who value poignant, character-driven stories with social themes.

4.2

107,613 ratings

68%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

Walter Lee Younger

Walter Lee is a lean, intense young man in his mid-thirties, working as a chauffeur to support his family. He struggles with his role in the family and his aspirations, feeling beaten down by life as a Black man in 1950s America.

Beneatha, Walter's sister, is a young woman in her twenties pursuing a college education. She dreams of becoming a doctor and is torn between two suitors who represent different cultural identities.

Mama is the strong matriarch of the Younger family, in her early sixties. She dreams of providing a better future for her family, symbolized by a house where they can set down roots.

Ruth, Walter's wife, is a hardworking woman around thirty years old. She supports her family while coping with her husband's preoccupation with his own dreams and her own personal sacrifices.

Asagai is a Nigerian college student who is romantically interested in Beneatha. He offers Beneatha a connection to her African roots and cultural identity.

George is a wealthy, young Black man dating Beneatha, who has assimilated into white American society. He faces criticism from Beneatha for his lack of interest in African heritage.

Travis is the young son of Walter and Ruth, a well-behaved boy who dreams of having his own room in a house. His character represents hope and the future.

Lindner is a middle-aged white man representing the Clybourne Park Welcome Committee, who visits the Youngers with a controversial offer related to their new home.

Book Details
Pages

151

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Chicago, Illinois • 1950s

Publication Year

1959

Publisher

Random House

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

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