Dreams Deferred: The Social and Historical Context of A Raisin in the Sun

Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun is a landmark play that captures the struggles of a Black family in 1950s America as they strive for a better life despite systemic racism and economic hardship. The play’s themes of racial discrimination, economic disparity, and the pursuit of the American Dream are deeply rooted in the social and historical context of its time. To fully appreciate A Raisin in the Sun, it is essential to examine the real-world conditions that influenced Hansberry’s writing, including housing segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and the impact of Langston Hughes’ poem “Harlem.”

Housing Discrimination and Redlining

During the mid-20th century, housing segregation was a significant barrier for Black families in America. Policies such as redlining—where banks and real estate agencies systematically denied mortgages and housing opportunities to Black families in certain neighborhoods—kept African Americans confined to overcrowded and underfunded urban areas. In A Raisin in the Sun, the Younger family’s decision to buy a house in a predominantly white neighborhood directly confronts this reality. The character of Karl Lindner, a representative of the neighborhood association, embodies the resistance that Black families faced when trying to integrate into white communities. Hansberry’s portrayal of housing discrimination reflects the lived experiences of many Black Americans, including her own family’s legal battle against racially restrictive housing covenants in Chicago.

The Influence of the Civil Rights Movement

Hansberry wrote A Raisin in the Sun at a time when the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum. The 1950s saw landmark events such as the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision (1954), which ruled segregation in public schools unconstitutional, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956), led by Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. The Younger family’s struggles for dignity and upward mobility parallel the broader fight for racial equality. Beneatha, the family’s intellectual and socially conscious daughter, embodies the emerging Black identity and pride that were central to the Civil Rights Movement. Her interest in African heritage and rejection of assimilationist ideals mirror the growing consciousness among Black Americans about their cultural roots and the demand for equal rights.

The Significance of Langston Hughes’ “Harlem”

The title A Raisin in the Sun is derived from Langston Hughes’ poem “Harlem,” which poses the question, “What happens to a dream deferred?” Hughes describes the potential outcomes of unfulfilled dreams, suggesting that they might dry up “like a raisin in the sun” or explode from prolonged frustration. Hansberry’s play serves as a dramatic response to this question, exploring how each character’s dreams are either realized or crushed by societal constraints. Walter Lee Younger, for example, dreams of financial success and independence but faces setbacks due to racial and economic barriers. Mama’s dream of homeownership symbolizes both hope and resistance against systemic oppression. By linking her play to Hughes’ poem, Hansberry highlights the tension between aspiration and reality for Black Americans.

Economic Struggles and the American Dream

The post-World War II era was marked by economic prosperity for many white Americans, but Black families often faced limited opportunities due to employment discrimination and unequal access to financial resources. Walter Lee’s desire to invest in a liquor store reflects the frustrations of Black men who sought economic independence but were often trapped in low-paying jobs with little upward mobility. The Younger family’s financial struggles underscore the broader inequalities of the era, where Black Americans were systematically denied the wealth-building opportunities available to white families. Hansberry challenges the traditional notion of the American Dream by showing that for Black families, achieving success often required overcoming significant racial and economic barriers.

Conclusion

A Raisin in the Sun is more than just a family drama—it is a powerful commentary on the racial and economic struggles that shaped mid-20th century America. By examining housing discrimination, the Civil Rights Movement, the influence of Langston Hughes, and the economic challenges of the time, Hansberry’s play provides a poignant exploration of what happens to dreams when they are systematically deferred. The Younger family’s story remains relevant today, as issues of racial inequality and economic disparity continue to shape American society.

Works Cited

• Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Vintage, 1994.
• Hughes, Langston. The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. Knopf, 1994. Washington.
• Taylor, Keeanga-Yamahtta. Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership. UNC Press, 2019.
• Washington, Mary Helen. The Other Blacklist: The African American Literary and Cultural Left of the 1950s. Columbia UP, 2014.