A Raisin in the Sun

Theme:

A Raisin in the Sun by Langston Hughes, explores the theme of dreams. Each character has a dream of their own and in some way, each of their dreams conflicts with someone else’s dream.

Summary:

It depicts a family’s struggle for survival. The Younger family who lives in Southside, Chicago, fights for their civil rights during the 1960’s. They each have dreams and goals. Hughes illustrates, in “Harlem” that sometimes dreams dry up like raisins in the sun.

Climax:

The climax of Raisin occurs with Bobo’s telling Walter that the money is gone and includes the family’s immediate response to this tragic news. The falling action occurs as Walter is contemplating selling his pride for Lindner’s money and then deciding not to do so.

Famous Quotes:

“MAMA Well, little boys’ hides ain’t as tough as Southside roaches. You better get over there behind the bureau. I seen one marching out of there like Napoleon yesterday.”

“There is always something left to love. And if you ain’t learned that, you ain’t learned nothing.”

Mama: Oh—So now it’s life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it’s money. I guess the world really do change . . .
Walter: No—it was always money, Mama. We just didn’t know about it.

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Asagai: Then isn’t there something wrong in a house—in a world—where all dreams, good or bad, must depend on the death of a man?
Beneatha: AND YOU CANNOT ANSWER IT!
Asagai: I LIVE THE ANSWER!

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Walter: [W]e have decided to move into our house because my father—my father—he earned it for us brick by brick. We don’t want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors. And that’s all we got to say about that. We don’t want your money.