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Foreshadowing
Genre
Explanation and Analysis:
A Raisin in the Sun is a realist drama. The play portrays the working-class struggle of Black Americans after World War II, with characters that look and sound like ordinary people. Indeed, the dialect Hansberry employs contributes to the realism of the play. The story belongs to the literary period of Social Realism: while the play was published in the 1950s, and Social Realism mostly took place in the early 20th century, the literary period extended in some instances through the middle of the 20th century.
Social Realism portrays the harsh reality of social struggle and inequity, with characters facing racism, sexism, and money troubles. Race is central to the play in more ways than one: the performance of the play itself was historically significant, with A Raisin in the Sun making Hansberry the first Black female playwright to have a play on Broadway. A Raisin in the Sun was thus, as a play, in a league of its own, making Hansberry a trailblazer. Indeed, the play charted new territory by bringing the daily struggles of Black Americans to the stage for all to see. The play's critical and commercial success underscores both the importance and the relatability of its message.
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