Why is It Called a Raisin in The Sun?

What's Up with the Title?

Lorraine Hansberry's play, "A Raisin in the Sun," really digs into the big dreams and tough times of the Younger family. The title, borrowed from Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem," asks a pretty deep question: "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?" Let’s see why this matters so much for the characters in the play.

Why Is It Called 'A Raisin in The Sun' Anyway?

The Younger family—Lena (Mama), her son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, and their kid Travis—are all packed into a tiny apartment on Chicago's South Side. They’re just trying to make it work as a working-class African American family. They’ve got big dreams of living better lives, but stuff like racism, poverty, and society's rules keep getting in their way.

The Symbolism of the Raisin

That raisin? It’s all about dreams that never get off the ground. When you don’t chase your dreams with everything you’ve got, they just kinda shrink and dry up—just like that raisin in the sun. Walter Lee wants his own liquor store; Mama dreams of buying a house. But these dreams always seem on hold or maybe even lost forever.

Walter Lee thinks starting his own business is his ticket out. Being successful means money and respect to him, but he keeps hitting walls—racism, discrimination—and he's also fighting himself inside. Mama just wants a house for some stability and hopes for her family’s future. For her, a house isn’t just four walls; it’s progress. But her dream faces hurdles too, like not having enough money and limited options for African Americans back then.

The Effects of Deferred Dreams

You can really see what happens when dreams get put off again and again throughout this play. It leads to anger, bitterness, and sometimes things falling apart. Walter Lee gets so mad about not reaching his dream that he makes some bad choices that could split up the family.

This isn't just about them though; it mirrors what many African Americans faced at that time—systemic racism making it hard to get ahead or even have basic opportunities.

Hope and Resilience Despite Everything

But here's the thing: even with all these challenges, the Youngers hold onto hope. They won’t let go completely of their dreams; they keep pushing for something better. That title, "A Raisin in the Sun," captures this vibe—it suggests there's still a little hope shining through no matter how rough things get.

In the end, "A Raisin in the Sun" shows us how strong people can be while chasing dreams. It reminds us dreams need care and effort to grow, like raisins need sunshine (but not too much!). And it highlights those big societal issues African Americans dealt with back then—issues we still think about today.

Wrapping Up

So yeah, calling it "A Raisin in the Sun" really packs meaning! It's more than just dried fruit—it stands for all those hopes shelved away but also shines light on resilience despite adversity around every corner. By looking at what happens when dreams get delayed or denied altogether—as well as keeping hope alive—the play digs into bigger problems from that era affecting Black communities specifically.

"A Raisin in The Sun" tells us why chasing after our goals matters plus taking down barriers stopping folks from reaching theirs!

References

• Hansberry, L., & Nemiroff R., Bunge D., & Hansberry L.. (1959). A raisin in the sun: A drama in three acts.
• Eisenstadt R.A., & Galioto J.A., editors (2004) Voices from Chicano America New York Harcourt Brace College Publishers
• Nadell P.S., & Rubinstein W.D.. (2006) Strangers no more: Immigration migration settlement 1945-present
• Patterson O.. Slavery Freedom Making Western World
• Taylor K.Y.. From #BlackLivesMatter Revolution Has Not Been Televised