The purpose of this paper is to introduce and discuss the 1959 play “A Raisin in the Sun”; a serious drama about a black family written by a black woman, Lorraine Hansberry.
The paper gives a background of the author and gives an overview of the play. It then reviews the historical aspects of the play and discusses its impact on audiences of the time. The paper also discusses the play’s use of characterization, construction, setting, conversation, and theme and looks at the racial tone prevalent in the work.
Table of Contents:
A. Introduction
B. Background on Author and Play
C. Characterization
1. Flat, Round
2. Conversations
D. Construction
E. Theme and Contrast
F. Racial Tone
G. Setting
H. Conclusion
Table of Contents:
A. Introduction
B. Background on Author and Play
C. Characterization
1. Flat, Round
2. Conversations
D. Construction
E. Theme and Contrast
F. Racial Tone
G. Setting
H. Conclusion
When the play appeared on stage in 1959, there was not a Broadway-going black audience, and no one could say with fact that white audiences would attend a play about a black family, yet attend they did. Writer James Baldwin said that never before had so much of the truth of black people’s lives been seen on stage” (Edwards). It made viewers think about their own reactions to integration and prejudice, during a time when the country itself was on the brink of racial integration.”