ghastgirll's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
literaryfitz's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I would have seen this in person instead of reading it, but that’s for another day.
redingtonjm's review against another edition
5.0
This play was a required reading when I was in theatre, and while I didn't remember much about it, I remembered that I really enjoyed it. So I decided to give it a reread.
In summary: Walter is a piece of shit.
Okay, I digress. Honestly, there is a LOT of character development in this play. Or perhaps it is simply that we see so many sides of each of these characters. Which I love, because that's humanity. We all have parts of ourselves that are shitty. Even if we aren't a shitty person. We all do things that honestly probably aren't the best (I'm looking at you, Mama, and how you baby Walter) but are done with the best of intentions. We all have done things that can cause us to be the villain in someone's story, even if we don't inherently suck.
This play is honestly just so beautiful. So much wisdom in the dialogue.
There is also the issue of race in this play, obviously. I read online that it was controversial because it "covers the gap between the American Dream and the Black American Reality," and that summarizes it pretty well. This play was written in the 50's (if I'm not mistaken) and depicts what life was like for black Americans at that time. But even today. While things have improved, black Americans still face certain realities that most white people don't have to. And I know most people like to tell themselves and everyone else that this isn't the case, but it is. While most people have to work hard to get ahead in life, black people often have to face even more obstacles to achieve their dreams than white people do. This play does a great job of depicting the discrimination they face, as well as the anger and hurt that results.
Ugh, I just really love this play ❤️ And I love Mama's character.
In summary: Walter is a piece of shit.
Okay, I digress. Honestly, there is a LOT of character development in this play. Or perhaps it is simply that we see so many sides of each of these characters. Which I love, because that's humanity. We all have parts of ourselves that are shitty. Even if we aren't a shitty person. We all do things that honestly probably aren't the best (I'm looking at you, Mama, and how you baby Walter) but are done with the best of intentions. We all have done things that can cause us to be the villain in someone's story, even if we don't inherently suck.
This play is honestly just so beautiful. So much wisdom in the dialogue.
There is also the issue of race in this play, obviously. I read online that it was controversial because it "covers the gap between the American Dream and the Black American Reality," and that summarizes it pretty well. This play was written in the 50's (if I'm not mistaken) and depicts what life was like for black Americans at that time. But even today. While things have improved, black Americans still face certain realities that most white people don't have to. And I know most people like to tell themselves and everyone else that this isn't the case, but it is. While most people have to work hard to get ahead in life, black people often have to face even more obstacles to achieve their dreams than white people do. This play does a great job of depicting the discrimination they face, as well as the anger and hurt that results.
Ugh, I just really love this play ❤️ And I love Mama's character.
jbmorgan86's review against another edition
4.0
"What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat
Or crust and sugar over--
Like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
Like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
- Langston Hughes
A Raisin in the Sun is the first play written by an African-American woman to be performed on Broadway. It is about the difficulties that African Americans faced in the southside of Chicago in the 1950s. Realistic characters, witty (and often funny) dialogue, and tragedy.
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat
Or crust and sugar over--
Like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
Like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
- Langston Hughes
A Raisin in the Sun is the first play written by an African-American woman to be performed on Broadway. It is about the difficulties that African Americans faced in the southside of Chicago in the 1950s. Realistic characters, witty (and often funny) dialogue, and tragedy.
ok1123334's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
felicitasviviancoco's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Ich musste das Buch für den Englischunterricht lesen und habe meine Erfahrung als recht positiv empfunden. Ich lese normalerweise nicht gerne Theaterstücke, doch bei diesem war es kein Problem.
Das Aufzeigen einer Lebenssituation einer dunkelhäutigen Familie in den USA zu dieser Zeit, kreiert einen guten Grund zur Reflexion. Ich wurde mir auch meiner Naivität wieder bewusst.
Detail& Tiefe (Charaktere& Orte etc.): 4/5
Lesbarkeit: 4/5
Reflexion: 5/5
Extras: 4/5
Total: 17/20
Das Aufzeigen einer Lebenssituation einer dunkelhäutigen Familie in den USA zu dieser Zeit, kreiert einen guten Grund zur Reflexion. Ich wurde mir auch meiner Naivität wieder bewusst.
Detail& Tiefe (Charaktere& Orte etc.): 4/5
Lesbarkeit: 4/5
Reflexion: 5/5
Extras: 4/5
Total: 17/20
chandraleereads's review against another edition
4.0
The themes of this play are still so relevant today. I feel it’s a play I should have been taught in school, but never was. Perhaps others were more fortunate then me and did get it as part of their curriculum?
izzyergh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
xkrille's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this for university, and I am so glad I did!
This was a great play to read. The characters were well-written and so were their emotions. You understood why they acted the way they did, said the things they said, thought the things they thought.
I definitely recommend!
This was a great play to read. The characters were well-written and so were their emotions. You understood why they acted the way they did, said the things they said, thought the things they thought.
I definitely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism, Homophobia, and Abortion
Minor: Death of parent
hoffmann's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really didn’t think I was going to enjoy this re-read, but I am astonished by how timeless this feels (for better or worse). The insight of how some dreams are considered worth more than others and the dialogue of pride and personal self-respect is just as biting and important as it was when this came out. Even more so when we compare Walter’s struggle of being a black man with the women’s struggles and how they differ based on gender expectations. It was a great read again.