2. Milestones
Premiered in 1959
The first play written by an African-American woman to be produced on
Broadway
Named Best Play of 1959 by the New York Drama Critics Circle
African-American novelist James Baldwin: “Never before, in the entire
history of American theater, had so much of the truth of black people’s
lives been seen on the stage” (qtd. In Norton 1447
3. Historical themes
The Great Migration – 6.5 million African-Americans moved from the rural South
to the urban North between 1910 and 1970. “Those migrant millions flew north
on the wings of hope” (1448). Lena Younger represents them, along with her
deceased husband, Big Walter.
Many of the African-Americans who migrated northward ended up living in
poverty in segregated neighborhoods.
Hansberry’s depiction of white resistance to black families moving into “their”
neighborhoods is informed by the experiences of her father, Carl, a real-estate
developer who purchased a house in an all-white neighborhood.
The late ‘50s saw a growing interest in African history and culture from young
black intellectuals, represented in this play by Beneatha Younger.
4. Major Characters
Focal point: An insurance check for $10,000 dollars. This money represents a
potential life change for each member of the Younger family, and all of them
together.
WALTER:
Wants to invest in a liquor store, sees this as his chance for a better life;
Wants to give his son more than “stories about how rich white people live”
(1463);
Frustrated by what he sees as a lack of support from the women around him.
(It’s important to note that while he expects Ruth and Mama to support his
ambitions, he won’t support Beneatha’s.)
5. Major Characters
RUTH:
Won’t back down in arguments with her husband or throw her support
behind a business deal she doesn’t trust;
Yet with Mama, she gives him the very support he asks for (1467-1468);
Frightened of the changes she sees in Walter, that he needs “something I
can’t give him anymore” (1468).
6. Major Characters
BENEATHA:
Very similar to her brother in personality and ambition (which is why they
clash);
“Straddles” the class divide (a term from Richard Rodriguez’ Hunger of
Memory) as the most educated family member;
“experiment(s) with different forms of expression” (1470) in order to better
understand herself and share herself with the world.
Mama and Ruth, of course, don’t get it.
7. Major Characters
LENA (MAMA):
Holds the top position of power/authority in the household;
Power is increased by the insurance check, which belongs to her;
An “old school” devout Christian;
A nurturer, as we see in her care for her struggling plant;
A representative of an older generation whose values younger characters
like Walter and Beneatha are moving away from.
