Answer: The phrase "a raisin in the sun" metaphorically suggests a dream that has been put on hold or deferred, just like a grape drying up to become a raisin in the heat of the sun.
Explanation: The title "A Raisin in the Sun" is drawn from a famous Langston Hughes poem titled "Harlem" (also known as "A Dream Deferred"). The poem explores the idea of dreams and aspirations that are delayed or deferred. In one of the lines, Hughes asks, "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?"
Lorraine Hansberry, the playwright of the play "A Raisin in the Sun," took inspiration from Hughes's poem for her title. The phrase "a raisin in the sun" metaphorically suggests a dream that has been put on hold or deferred, just like a grape drying up to become a raisin in the heat of the sun. In the context of the play, the title reflects the dreams and aspirations of the Younger family, an African American family living in a cramped apartment on the south side of Chicago.
The central theme of the play revolves around the Younger family's struggle for a better life and their dreams for a brighter future. The title encapsulates the challenges they face, the impact of racism and discrimination on their aspirations, and the resilience required to pursue their dreams despite the harsh conditions. It symbolizes the fragile nature of dreams and the difficulties that come with trying to achieve them, especially in a society marked by racial inequality.