Written by Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun is a Broadway play that premiered in 1959. Set in the South Side of Chicago, the story centers on the African-American Younger family, including matriarch "Mama"; her two children, Walter and Beneatha; as well as Walter's wife, Ruth, and their son, Travis. After the patriarch of the family passes away, the Youngers contemplate how they will divide and spend his $10,000 life insurance check.
Spanning three generations, each Younger has a different notion of what will propel them out of poverty and into a better, more well-respected class. Their conflicting ideals touch upon racial discrimination, African identity, economic and social class, gender roles, and the American dream.
The play was adapted into a film in 1961, and star Sidney Poitier became the first African-American to win an Oscar for best actor.
