Analysis of A Raisin in the Sun Essay -- Krannert

"A Raisin in the Sun" Analysis Upon walking out of Krannert's production of "A Raisin in the Sun," an eerie silence drizzled about the audience as people murmured and slowly shuffled towards the exits. After witnessing such a powerful yet melancholy piece of theater work, words seemed inappropriate. For three hours, "A Raisin in the Sun" encompassed us with racial, economic, and social issues of the 1950s. Swirling portions of humor, disgrace, pride, and sadness into a smooth blend, the play developed many twists and turns that kept the audience and myself completely alert. Throughout the three acts I could feel the audience, as well as myself, totally devoting themselves to the play. But after taking a step back, the play proved to produce much more than tears, gasps, and laughter; it created a new perspective of African American lifestyles in the 1950s. When my father and I first settled in the theater, I immediately scanned the crowd. On the way to the production I envisioned, as superficial as it may seem, an auditorium crammed with African Americans and college students. But to my surprise, the majority of the playhouse flooded with middle‑aged Caucasian people. With suits and dresses on, clearly they were financially well off. On the contrary, I only observed a few African American people. I expected that more African American families would attend a play that pertained so relevantly to their past. Nevertheless, the demographics still posed an interesting point about who goes to these plays. As a side note, I also observed many young children there. I thought this reflected well of the parents/guardians who brought them. It thoroughly proved to me that adults willingly want to teach their children, whether they... ...n in the 1950s. Sure, I studied the 1950's racial problems in grammar school, but it was a thoroughly different experience when told as an appalling story of discrimination. Noting the difference between my father and I, it clearly shows how times have changed for the better in our society. Overall, "A Raisin in the Sun" affected me in an enormously positive way. The contents of this essay do not even touch what the real experience was like. It not only provided an insight into a family's life in the 1950s, but also shaped a window into their personal lives. Spanning over only a couple of weeks, the play powerfully dove into the details and drama of the Younger's lives. With talented theatrical performances and a wonderful script, "A Raisin in the Sun" gave the audience much more than just an insight into the lives of African Americans, it let the audience live it.