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 schoo

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 they have been.

Another theme that evolves in this play is poverty. The poverty they experience is noticeable in their living arrangements. In the very beginning of the play, we see how a family of five shares a one bedroom, rundown apartment, on Chicago's south side, which is similar to the Wingfield's living conditions in The Glass Menagerie. In addition, the Youngers only had use of a communal restroom that they shared with the other tenants. Up until Big Walter passed away, the family did not have the assets to pursue Mama's dream o

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 = 726
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)