A Raisin in the Sun is an ego-play in that it describes how a Black family comes to the right relationship with "reality." (p. 109)
It can be asked, if A Raisin in the Sun is oriented to reality, why does Walter willingly give up those things, i.e., independence and economic success, which we are told are real social and moral values in America? And how can the Youngers' moving into a white suburb be called "reality" and not wish-fulfillment? As a partial answer to these questions, let us look for a moment at some characteristics of the play. First, it is apparent that A Raisin in the Sun is not necessarily a Black play; that is, none of the personality traits of the Youngers, none of their goals, and none of their troubles and successes are specifically those of Black people in Chicago of the 1950's…. [The] condition of the Youngers is for us "universal," that is, it represents what we conceive to be common lot of a good many "ethnic" groups and celebrates the basic unit of American social structure, the nuclear family with a dominant and wise parent-figure.
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