A Raisin in the Sun

Introduction

The first major reading we're going to do this year is the award-winning play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. However, before we read, it's important to have a good understanding of the issues surrounding the play as well as the time period in which it was written. Set on the South side of Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun is about an African American family who comes into a large sum of money due to unfortunate circumstances. Despite the major improvements the money can do for the family, the family isn't in agreement on what to do with it. Continue on with this Webquest to learn about the play's and author's background.

Task

In a series of six tasks you will explore historical background information, themes depicted in the play and the author's biographical information.

Process

Task 1: Lorranine Hansberry

http://www.biography.com/people/lorraine-hansberry-9327823

1) Identify what might have inspired her to write A Raisin in the Sun.

http://womenshistory.about.com/od/aframerwriters/p/hansberry.htm

2) List three civil rights events that Lorraine (or the Hansberry family) was involved with.

Task 2:Covenants

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restrictive_covenant

1) In your own words, what are restrictive covenants?

2) How have they been used in segregation?