AP English Literature and Composition MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEETTitle: A Raisin In the SunAuthor: Lorraine HansberryPublication date: 1951Genre: Realistic dramaBiographical information about the authorLorraine Hansberry was born in Chicago on May 19, 1930. She grew up as the youngest in her family. His mother was a teacher and his father a real estate broker. They eventually moved to a white part of town where they were persecuted and the court ordered them to move. Their case went all the way to the Supreme Court. Hansberry decided to attend the University of Wisconsin to study painting, but soon turned to writing. After two years, she dropped out of school and decided to move to New York. In New York, she began working for a newspaper, working as a part-time waitress and cashier. She continued to write in her free time until she quit all her jobs to focus solely on writing. Around 1957, she wrote the play A Crystal Stair, which was transformed into A Raisin In the Sun. In 1963, she became a staunch defender of civil rights. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died on January 12, 1965. Historical information about the period of publication A Raisin in the Sun was published in 1951. This was the year that World War II officially ended. There was a strong presence of racism and segregation during this time. Segregation was not declared unconstitutional until 1954, three years after the publication of A Raisin in the Sun. At that time, men worked primarily in blue-collar jobs while few women worked in jobs such as secretaries. Women were still seen as housewives and men as the primary breadwinners. Genre Characteristics Raisin in the Sun is considered a realistic drama. It's considered...... middle of paper...... caring, intelligent Setting Importance of the opening scene The play takes place in the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s in the South from Chicago In the opening Importance of the ending/closing scene Symbols Mama's plant symbolizes how much she loves her family and how she wants their dreams to come true. She takes care of plants like she takes care of her family and dreams of a house with a garden. Benetha's hair is another symbol. At first, his hair is straight. Later, she decides to cut it and style it more naturally. This shows his desire to find his identityOld AP Questions1987 1990 1991 1992 1994 1996 1999 2007 2009bPossible ThemesFamily will help you get through anything if you stay together. Always have dreams and goals and strive to achieve them. Racism must not be tolerated, but fought..