A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sunintroduction

Directly addresses the issue of segregated housing in the US How do you see segregated housing today?

New York City, NY

Story City, IA

Des Moines, IA

“Redlining” In the 50’s it was legally enforceable for

neighborhoods to only allow certain individuals into their area.

Philadelphia's zoning in 1936

Lorraine Hansberry Hansberry herself grew up on

Chicago’s South Side; when she was young, her father moved the family to an all-white neighborhood as a form of protest against restrictive housing practices

Themes in the play Racism Power Gender Roles Values Education Dreams

Sacrifice Choices Dissatisfaction Family Pride

“A Dream Deferred”What happens to a dream deferred?

      Does it dry up

      like a raisin in the sun?

      Or fester like a sore—

      And then run?

      Does it stink like rotten meat?

      Or crust and sugar over—

      like a syrupy sweet?

      Maybe it just sags

      like a heavy load.

      Or does it explode?

Making Predictions1. What does the poem say about dreams deferred?2. Choose one of the images or similes in the poem and explain how it

specifically helps to communicate the poem’s message.3. Choose one of the motifs from our list for the play and discuss how it could

potentially connect to the poem (don’t pick dreams)4. Why do you think Lansberry would have chosen this poem

to lead in to her play?