A Raisin in the Sun Apartment Layout: Exploring the Apartment in Lorraine Hansberry's Famous Play

Quick Summary

- The Younger family lives in a small, cramped Chicago South Side apartment with three rooms—living room, bedroom, kitchen—plus a small bathroom and a hallway.

- The living room doubles as Mama’s bedroom, where she sleeps on a sofa bed.

- The bedroom is shared by Walter Lee and Ruth, highlighting their lack of privacy and space.

Are you a fan of Lorraine Hansberry's classic play, A Raisin in the Sun? If so, you may have wondered what the Younger family's apartment looked like. In this article, we'll explore the layout of the apartment and how it reflects the themes of the play.

The Apartment

The Younger family lives in a small, cramped apartment in Chicago's South Side. The apartment has three rooms: a living room, a bedroom, and a kitchen. It also has a small bathroom and a hallway that leads to the front door.

The living room serves as both a common area and a bedroom for Mama, the family matriarch. There is a sofa bed that she sleeps on, as well as a table, chairs, and a small bookcase. The bedroom is shared by Walter Lee, the son, and his wife Ruth. It has a double bed and a dresser. The kitchen is small and cramped, with a stove, sink, and refrigerator.

The Themes of the Play

The apartment's layout reflects the themes of the play. The cramped space symbolizes the Younger family's lack of financial resources and their struggle to make ends meet. The fact that Mama sleeps in the living room highlights her selflessness and her willingness to put her family's needs before her own.

The bedroom shared by Walter Lee and Ruth also reflects the play's themes. The lack of privacy and personal space is a source of tension between the couple, highlighting the strain that poverty can put on relationships.

Conclusion

The apartment in A Raisin in the Sun is a powerful symbol of the Younger family's struggle against poverty and racism. By exploring the layout of the apartment, we can gain a deeper understanding of the play's themes and the challenges faced by the characters.

Ready to create your own apartment design? Check out Coohom for inspiration and tools to bring your vision to life.