Andres 1
Peter Andres
Professor Stewart
Com 1102
10 March 2021
RIS#8
Helen Epstein
Williamstown Theater Festival, Massachusetts
Epstein starts her review of Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, by praising the cast
and theater on creating such a powerful scene. Even by simply reading the play, one can feel how
impressive the scenes would be, thanks to the thoughtful wording and descriptions by Hansberry.
The characters and scenes are unforgettable, creating long lasting images when reading the play,
so having the scene recreated would have an even more profound effect on its viewers. Epstein
also explains where the name of the poem originated, providing some interesting background to
promote new insights.
The title for the play comes from Langston Hughes poem, What happens to a Dream
Deferred? He starts his poem saying, “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun” (Hughes). This
poem allows the reader to understand further the themes of reaching your dreams and why the
play is named what it is. After describing this, Epstein explains the background information
about the play, describing the characters and their parts in the play. She then relates the life of the
Youngers to Michell Obamas memoir about growing up in a cramped apartment providing those
who enjoyed the play with more material on the same topic. Epstein then goes on to describes the
actor’s performance in the play.
Peter Andres
Professor Stewart
Com 1102
10 March 2021
RIS#8
Helen Epstein
Williamstown Theater Festival, Massachusetts
Epstein starts her review of Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, by praising the cast
and theater on creating such a powerful scene. Even by simply reading the play, one can feel how
impressive the scenes would be, thanks to the thoughtful wording and descriptions by Hansberry.
The characters and scenes are unforgettable, creating long lasting images when reading the play,
so having the scene recreated would have an even more profound effect on its viewers. Epstein
also explains where the name of the poem originated, providing some interesting background to
promote new insights.
The title for the play comes from Langston Hughes poem, What happens to a Dream
Deferred? He starts his poem saying, “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun” (Hughes). This
poem allows the reader to understand further the themes of reaching your dreams and why the
play is named what it is. After describing this, Epstein explains the background information
about the play, describing the characters and their parts in the play. She then relates the life of the
Youngers to Michell Obamas memoir about growing up in a cramped apartment providing those
who enjoyed the play with more material on the same topic. Epstein then goes on to describes the
actor’s performance in the play.
