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A review by cherry1012
A Raisin in the Sun: The Unfilmed Original Screenplay by Lorraine Hansberry
5.0
Read this because it was assigned by my English prof and i do not regret having to buy an actual copy that i get to keep.
Every line Hansberry has written adds so much depth to not only the characters, but to the overall plot and themes of the play. She flawlessly introduces the characters and their personalities right when we meet them, establishing them as their own individual characters that just happen to be within the same family. They’re complete with their own hopes and dreams, all told to us within the first few lines of meeting them.
It moves fairly quickly, but the overall story does not suffer for it. Hansberry does a great job of moving the story along while remembering the little quirks that each character has. It’s very well put together and as someone who has never sat down to read any play in its entirety, this was the perfect introduction. The stage directions are as clear as they are descriptive, which makes for a very easy read.
The plot centres around a Black-American family that has to deal with the struggles of being a lower-income household, adjusting to being a multi-generational family that is growing, but still living in a small 2 bedroom (and shared washroom in the hallway) apartment, as well as, sexism and racism. The story is far more complex than just them trying to deal with their broken dreams. Even when the story ends, Hansberry gives the Younger family what seems to be a “happy ending,” however, after using historical context clues it starts to seem as if its the complete opposite. It challenges the reader to see the family’s struggles from their eyes as they try to make the best of their lives in a country that has been implementing discriminatory policies against Black-Americans in every aspect of everyday life, especially when it comes to housing, to this day.
Easily a 10/10!
Every line Hansberry has written adds so much depth to not only the characters, but to the overall plot and themes of the play. She flawlessly introduces the characters and their personalities right when we meet them, establishing them as their own individual characters that just happen to be within the same family. They’re complete with their own hopes and dreams, all told to us within the first few lines of meeting them.
It moves fairly quickly, but the overall story does not suffer for it. Hansberry does a great job of moving the story along while remembering the little quirks that each character has. It’s very well put together and as someone who has never sat down to read any play in its entirety, this was the perfect introduction. The stage directions are as clear as they are descriptive, which makes for a very easy read.
The plot centres around a Black-American family that has to deal with the struggles of being a lower-income household, adjusting to being a multi-generational family that is growing, but still living in a small 2 bedroom (and shared washroom in the hallway) apartment, as well as, sexism and racism. The story is far more complex than just them trying to deal with their broken dreams. Even when the story ends, Hansberry gives the Younger family what seems to be a “happy ending,” however, after using historical context clues it starts to seem as if its the complete opposite. It challenges the reader to see the family’s struggles from their eyes as they try to make the best of their lives in a country that has been implementing discriminatory policies against Black-Americans in every aspect of everyday life, especially when it comes to housing, to this day.
Easily a 10/10!