Hansberry, Lorraine: 1930-1965

A Raisin in the Sun, 1959 - Title

  • The title is taken from a line in Langston Hughes' poem 'A Dream Deferred'
    • 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?