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A Raisin in the Sun Study Guide

by Lorraine Hansberry

A Raisin in the Sun study guide contains a biography of Lorraine Hansberry, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

The Youngers are a poor African-American family living on the South Side of Chicago. An opportunity to escape from poverty comes in the form of a $10,000 life insurance check that the matriarch of the family (Lena Younger or Mama) receives upon her husband's death. Lena's children, Walter and Beneatha, each have their plans for the money. The oldest son, Walter (a man of 35 with a wife and a young son), wishes to invest in a liquor store. The younger sister, Beneatha, currently a college student, wants to use the money for medical school. Lena has plans as well for the money: she wants to buy a house for the family and finance Beneatha's medical school.

The environmental pressures are high: five people live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment…

Read the full A Raisin in the Sun Summary

• A Raisin in the Sun Summary
• About A Raisin in the Sun
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Act I scene i
• Summary and Analysis of Act I scene ii
• Summary and Analysis of Act II scene i
• Summary and Analysis of Act II scene ii
• Summary and Analysis of Act II scene iii
• Summary and Analysis of Act III
• "Harlem" by Langston Hughes
• Housing Discrimination
• Related Links on A Raisin in the Sun
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• A Raisin in the Sun: Major Themes
• A Raisin in the Sun: Essays
• A Raisin in the Sun: Questions
• A Raisin in the Sun: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Lorraine Hansberry: Biography