Introduction to Lorraine Hansberrys

A Raisin in the Sun

Social Background
Published in 1959, four years after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a bus, sparking the Civil Rights Movement, Hansberrys play illustrates black Americas struggle to gain equal access to opportunity and expression of cultural identity.

Sentiments in A Raisin will be echoed by MLK in later speeches, marches, and rallies

Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil-Rights Leader

1929-1968 I have a dream a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.

Contd dreams represented in the play and later echoed by King

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dreamwhere little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

In 1956, King leads a boycott of the bus laws.

In 1954, the Supreme Court found in favor of the plaintiffs in the Brown v. The Board of Education case. However, the segregation of schools didnt begin to take effect until 1957. Moreover, the cases decision did not abolish segregation in other public areas, such as restaurants and restrooms.

Hansberrys Background

1930-1965
A Raisinis the 1st play by a black woman to be produced on Broadway Other Works:
WHAT USE ARE FLOWERS? THE MOVEMENT: DOCUMENTARY OF A STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY, THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN' WINDOWTO BE YOUNG, GIFTED, AND BLACK: LES BLANCS: THE COLLECTED LAST PLAYS: The Drinking Gourd / What Use Are Flowers?

Themes present in ARITS

Manly Pride

Themes present in ARITS

Cultural Pride

Themes present in ARITS

Family Pride