A Raisin in the Sun examines an African-American's family struggle to break out of the themes of poverty, dreams, racism, society, and various social themes that they are faced with. Lorraine Hansberry analyzes how race prejudice and economic insecurity affect a black mans role in his own family, his ability to provide, and his identity.

One of the major themes in this play is dreams and dreams deferred. When the Younger family receives the ten thousand dollar check in the mail, each member of the family has a different opinion on how it should be spent. This money comes from Mama's husband who passed away a few years ago. Everybody wanted the money for themselves and nobody else. Their dreams become dried up like a raisin in the sun. Not just dreams are dried up though; Walter Lee and Ruth's marriage become dried up also. The money would let Ruth and Mama fulfill the dream of owning their own house, and Walter would use the money to pursue the dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Beneatha has a dream to finish medical school to become a doctor, so she can cure people

of what ails them. Emotionally, the stress from not having their dreams realized has left them despising each other.

This play shows how troublesome it is to prosper in society. I believe that Asagai is the only person in the play who does not find it difficult to do this. He is the only character that knows where he is going in life, and he does not worry about money, status or society. Walter and George will continue to be affected by the mainstream, while trying to be something they are not. Hansberry illustrates how the American dream can easily become the American reality.

Another theme that is brought up in A Raisin in the Sun is abortion. During the time in which the play was written, abortion was a fairly new issue. Having an abortion is something that most people would consider immoral, but Mama explains, "when the world gets ugly enough - a woman will do anything for her family"(p.875). Ruth figures; the family is already starting to split apart, and having another baby is just going to make things worse. Fortunately, the Younger family seems to pull back together once they realize how greedy

Some common words found in the essay are:
Lorraine Hansberry, Raisin Sun, Glass Menagerie, Walter Lee, Ruth Mama, Walter George, Clybourne Park, raisin sun, Lee Ruth's, lorraine hansberry, dreams deferred, , dreams dreams, dreams dreams deferred, walter lee, dreams dried,
Approximate Word count = 756
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)