A Raisen in the Sun/The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window

by Lorraine Hansberry

Raisin in the Sun, A by Hansberry, Lorraine. 4 1/4 x 7. 18th ptg.

Genres: Plays, Classics, Drama, Fiction, Theatre, School, African American Literature

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Lorraine Vivian Hansberry was an American playwright and writer. She was the first African-American female author to have a play performed on Broadway. Her best-known work, the play A Raisin in the Sun, highlights the lives of black Americans in Chicago living under racial segregation. The title of the play was taken from the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes: "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?" At the age of 29, she won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award – making her the first African-American dramatist, the fifth woman, and the youngest playwright to do so. Hansberry's family had struggled against segregation, challenging a restrictive covenant in the 1940 U.S. Supreme Court case Hansberry v. Lee.
After she moved to New York City, Hansberry worked at the Pan-Africanist newspaper Freedom, where she worked with other black intellectuals such as Paul Robeson and W. E. B. Du Bois. Much of her work during this time concerned the African struggles for liberation and their impact on the world. Hansberry also wrote about being a lesbian and the oppression of gay people. She died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 34 during the Broadway run of her play The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window in 1965. Hansberry inspired the Nina Simone song "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", whose title-line came from Hansberry's autobiographical play.

Reviews

[Tim Null · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a 25th anniversary presentation of the Lorraine Hansberry play A Raisin In The Sun, The Washington Post stated it belonged in "the inner circle, along with [Arthur Miller's] Death of a Salesman, [Eugene O'Neill's] Long Day's Journey into Night, and [Tennessee Williams'] The Glass Menagerie." I agree with them.

I'm a strong believer that plays need to be performed, so I watched the 2008 film of Raisin. Years ago I had seen the 1961 film.

I'm a big fan of Rachel Brosnahan, and she played Iris Parodus Brustein in the 2023 production of The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window. It was through Ms. Brosnahan that I became aware of the play. Please forgive me, but I will refrain from commenting on that play until I have a chance to see it performed. (I can only hope I live long enough to have that pleasure.)

In addition to the two plays, this book contains additional information in the Foreword, Notes, and other commentary that is well worth the price of admission.

[Eric Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raisin is one of my favorite plays but I’d never read another word from this beautiful genius who died of cancer at an infuriating 34 (my age).

Sidney Brustein is an arrogant, sometimes pompous man with a troubled heart. Ultimately he cares, really “cares about it all” but, like many of us, finds it hard to show. It can be easier to hurt than to heal. He surrounds himself with a number of diverse characters, each troubled in their own way.

The play is complex and varied, a drama of ideas with a lot of funny lines. It is hard to stomach at times, but we know this is simply because it strikes too close to home: we see some of ourselves in all of these characters.

Hansberry does not go for sentimentality, nor did she believe that people are cut and dry. The most “square,” judgmental character here, Mavis, proves to be an incredibly nuanced character, and we have no choice but to sympathize with her life. Because ultimately, Hansberry believed, people are worth it. Despite all the betrayals and corruptions of our damaged lives and morals, humanity must be respected.

This is not an easy play, but nor was Raisin (especially beneath the surface). It is exceedingly rewarding, though, and absolutely fascinating. 4 stars.

“The WHY of why we are here is an intrigue for adolescents; the HOW is what must command the living.”

“In the ancient times, the good men among my ancestors, when they heard of evil, strapped a sword to their loins and strode into the desert; and when they found it, they cut it down—or were cut down and bloodied the earth with purifying death. But how does one confront these thousand nameless faceless vapors that are the evil of our time? Could a sword pierce it? Look at me... Wrath has become a poisoned gastric juice in the intestine. One does not SMITE evil any more: one holds one’s guts, thus—and takes a pill.”

[George Trudeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never read Sidney Brustein before but I’m glad I did. Lorraine by all accounts was a kind person with heart and her plays reflect that. Just like Raisin, there is so much passion in the characters and story.

[Realini Ionescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

A very good read



We have a tendency to compare with others and long for what they have- a better car, house, girlfriend. This is the recipe for unhappiness.

Once in a while, we come across a group of people that we do not envy. On the contrary.

This is the case with the Younger family, for which the reader cannot help but feel empathy.

On one hand, for on the other this is where we should be envious, because this is a family of proud, resilient, brave and strong people.

They have lived through hardship and it is not over. In fact, without a spoiler alert I can anticipate that even after the finale of the play, we do not know what exactly is going to happen.

The Younger family has five members: Lena is the mother of Walter and Beneatha. They live in a two-room apartment together with Walter’s wife Ruth and their son- Travis.

We used to live in a two-room apartment, but we were four. I know how difficult it can be.

The hope of the Younger family is that with the $ 10,000 that they will receive, from the insurance policy of their late father, they will change their life.

The trouble is that the dreams associated with the rather large sum of money are very different.

- Walter wants to invest the money in a liquor store

- Lena, the initial head of the family and the actual, legal owner of the ten thousand dollars wants to buy a house

- Beneatha is keen on graduating medical school and treating people, albeit at one point, depressed and traumatized she feels that she does not want to heal others any more.

The issue of race is prominent and gets even more important, but there is the problem of religion, poverty, aspirations, origins and more.

On religious grounds, Lena objects to Walter’s intentions, at least up to a point. To make things more complicated, Walter is upset by the fact that he is not the head of the family and has to go along with whatever his mother decides to do with the money.

He is going out with a friend, Willy with whom he has in mind to go into partnership and escape poverty, making a better life for his son and family.

Lena comes to the conclusion that her son is to be trusted and somehow “raised” to the position of leader of the pack and given money.

Not the whole 10,000, but what is left after a down payment on the house and a provision made for Beneatha’s medical school.

The problem is that Willy runs away with the money and this sets off a series of unfortunate events which have to test the strength of Walter, in particular.

One interesting character enters the stage: Asagai, from Nigeria.

I am very fond of interesting names: my cat is called Ndugu; I had an Afghan called Okwe…

Asagai plans to take Beneatha to his home in Nigeria, and teach her the native dances, songs, language and all. We never know if this will happen, but Beneatha seems captivated by the idea. She may change her mind though, for she is a very strong willed, independent woman, rather unpredictable if you ask me.

The racial tension reaches a high point when Lena pays the deposit for a house in a white neighborhood. A representative comes to offer money so that the Youngers do not move and upset the “community”

He is thrown out the door, but things get complicated with the family losing most of the insurance money, for Walter had decided to “invest” all that he received, including his sister’s tuition sum.

Needless to say Beneatha is mad with her brother.

I have listened to the play this morning, but I had also had the chance to watch a wonderful performance by Sydney Poitiers in the title role, in the movie based on the play.

[Andrew Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I had Lorraine Hansberry’s 34 years pinned down. I clearly did not. A Raisin in the Sun made me fall in love with Chicago again and The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window still has me grappling with how singular Hansberry’s artistry really is. These two plays are so painfully indicative of a 20th century that rendered hope gauche and embarrassing, reconstructivism a backwards adaption of “ancestral cannibalism,” and morality and sincerity a liability. Hansberry keeps such astonishing clarity at every layer—and there are plenty—of both narratives. I got to watch the 1989 recording of A Raisin, and I’m chomping at the bit to see The Sign any way I can. Overall, these are truly "great" plays: sprawling, meta, facetious, bitter. And deeply human.

[Akira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Gregory Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't care about Sidney Brustein and his window sign really at all, but A Raisin in the Sun is too impeccable to mark down. Iconic. Everything about it is stunning.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea what “A Raisin in the Sun” could possibly be about before reading the play. I simply chose it over “Twelve Angry Men” since I had read that play so many times before. I didn’t want to read it yet again. Due to the cover of the book having an African American woman in 60s clothing on the cover, I assumed that was what it was about.

My immediate response to the plot and characters is to wonder what sort of things I am missing. I am curious as to what sort of things happened to Bennie and Walter when they were younger to cause such idealistic views, the ideas of being able to go out and do possibly anything they could ever imagine. I call them idealistic simply because most people in the same situation would not feel they could ever overcome the poverty that they were experiencing. I am curious about Mr. Younger especially wondering what kind of a father he was and how he passed away. I am also curious about if they are in debt due to any outstanding medical bills because of his health. I was extremely motivated to keep reading because I was curious to find out what they did with the money and find out how it is possible for a black family during this time to overcome the prejudices of the 60s. Unfortunately, I cannot compare this to any other text that I have read because I cannot think of anything even remotely close to the ideas that are present.

The book is strong in representing a family that ultimately sticks together in the end. If they weren’t thinking of their family situation, then they would have not been able to inevitably move to a community that did not welcome them as openly as others would. The book is also exceptionally strong in presenting the idea that anyone can follow their dreams if they decide that is what they, and they believe they deserve it. However, one weakness that I especially find irritating is that reader does not receive much background information on the family. We know they are poor; however, we do not get a sense of exactly how poor. For example, Walter drinks every night according to Ruth. If they are poor enough to now they don’t have money to give their son fifty cents for school, why is he spending so much money on drinking?

This text provides a look at the diversity of the students that we will encounter. For example, Bennie comes from a family that is poverty stricken. However, she attends school and intends on becoming a doctor. I believe there are many students in our own classrooms that feel that way. There are students who sit in school that are only there so they are able to eat that day. This is an idea that can be carried on to many future years of teaching. I believe the students who are poverty stricken are able to identify with the characters. The students with a minority background can also identify with this piece. Also, any one of the students who has a dream for themselves is able to identify with Bennie or Walter. Finally, students who have a family that they struggle to cooperate and understand are able to identify with the characters. 3Q, 2P

[Tyeisha Little]

An African-American family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950's. This money comes from the deceased Mr. Younger’s life insurance policy. Each of the adult members of the family has an idea as to what he or she would like to do with this money. The matriarch of the family, Mama, wants to buy a house to fulfill a dream she shared with her husband. Mama’s son, Walter Lee, would rather use the money to invest in a liquor store with his friends. He believes that the investment will solve the family’s financial problems forever. Walter’s wife, Ruth, agrees with Mama, however, and hopes that she and Walter can provide more space and opportunity for their son, Travis. Finally, Beneatha, Walter’s sister and Mama’s daughter, wants to use the money for her medical school tuition. She also wishes that her family members were not so interested in joining the white world. Beneatha instead tries to find her identity by looking back to the past and to Africa.

[Kalen Dotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book.

[John Berney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hansberry definitely had its great points, and is a true novel of its time period. Although I did not like some points made, the book was pretty good.

[Christopher Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book i especially liked the ending of it

[Maddie Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Sad.

[Ascending · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Raisin in the Sun takes its audience on a journey through the perspective of Walter Lee, a black man struggling to achieve the American dream. Walter struggles to identify his own identity in a world where white men have all the power and means, and people of color are subjugated to inferior positions in society. In the end, Walter finds his spirit hidden in the shadows of his own insecurities only to rise above his situation like the descendent of those great Afrikan Kings of old, when they were victorious in battle. Like a Zulu Warrior-King, Walter Lee completes his rite of passage, and thus becomes the Patriarch of his family. Walter Lee is an ambitious black man with a family, and he is full of anger about what he believes to be his caste in life. Walter struggles in various aspects before he finally demonstrates himself to be a man of courage and honor.
One of Walters’s greatest struggles is with his connection to his ancestral Afrikan roots, while living in a racist white-society, and there is generational conflict between Walter and those around him as well. The conflicts seem to be lessons needing learning.
In the beginning of the journey, Walter appears to be the average black male during an era of great social movement, who is struggling to find his place in the world. He gets up in the morning and has to struggle for a spot for the bathroom, which is not only shared by his own family, but also by other families living in his building. Walter lives in the projects, and like most people who live in such red-lined areas, he demonstrates a great deal of escapism in his behavior. For instance, like many who live in the ghetto, the only people whom Walter can complain to are others in the same situation as he is. And like many poor and struggling middle-class families, he is under a great deal of pressure to provide for his family, but at the same time he is forced to repress his own dreams of success, as he is continually forced to compromise into conformity of a culture created for the benefit of Anglo’s. The situation is complicated further as Walter tries to be a role model to his own son, while trying to fill the shoes of his own father who has passed away. The pressure to fill those shoes and the memory of the struggle his father went through to provide, which Mama reminds Walter continuously, begins to take its toll on Walter.
Walter blames his family for his shortcomings. When the pressure gets too much for this struggling black man, he lashes out at the only people who will endure his rhetoric: his family and culture. Walter demonstrates the effect of colonialization on his mind when he degrades the position of the black woman in the family, by blaming the black woman for the black mans failings in the white mans society. The effect of forced acculturation and gentrification is blatant in this regard, as Walter in his ignorance becomes as the oppressor he seemingly detests, but who society he inadvertently desires to assimilate into. Walter demonstrates the reverse-discrimination, and self hatred many descendents of Afrikan slaves in White America developed due to Aryan racism and socio-politico-classism. This is extremely evident when Walter reiterates the ignorance the white man taught him regarding black people when he makes comments like, “The worlds most backward race of people, and that’s a fact” (I.1, 38). Walter is plagued with an inferiority complex and becomes more desperate to escape his circumstances.
Walter devises a plan to break free of socio-economic deficit through black-entrepreneurism. Walter attempts to mimic the white oppressor’s business activities but soon learns that it is not just the white man who is greedy and corrupt, when one of his black partners swindles the money Walters’s mama gives him to start his business, money acquired from Walters’s fathers’ death, the savings Walter’s father sacrificed so much for. This betrayal by Walters’ friend almost breaks Walters’ spirit as his family blames Walter for being so ignorant, which incidentally reinforces his sense of insecurity and inferiority. The fact that Walters momma has already spent a great deal of the insurance money on a home for the family also exasperates his feeling of inferiority because it is the women in his family who continue to provide sustenance for the family and who seem to be more responsible than he is. Walter is belittled further by his momma condemning him for having lost what Walters father had struggled for. In his desperation, Walter initially decides to make a deal with a white man named Mr. Lindner who represents a community board in the white neighborhood (Clybourne Park) where Walters’s mamma has purchased the house for the family. “Don’t cry, Mama. Understand. That white man is going to walk in that door able to write checks for more money than we ever had. It’s important to him and I’m going to help him… I’m going to put on the show, Mama” (III.3, 143). Walter slides deeper into that colonial-mentality as he decides to take money from Mr. Linder as a payoff for Walter to relocate his black family into some other neighborhood.
This decision enrages and hurts Walters’s family, especially his momma who reminds Walter of the integrity and pride of Walters’s father, who was the head of the family and who was the provider while dealing with more extreme forms of racist-discriminative-segregationist than Walter is seemingly enduring. Walter becomes a sell-out in the eyes of his family, and even Walter himself shows contempt for his actions though he is ironically acting out of desperation to live up to his fathers legacy. The fact that Walter is expecting another child only intensifies his resolve to make something of himself.
The darkest places of the human psyche are where many learn people learn the truth about themselves, and thus is the case with Walter Lee. It is all the negativity that brings Walter Lee to see that even though he is superficially poor, that he is rich in family and a history of his people overcoming almost insurmountable odds. Walter becomes aware of his responsibility to his family and their dreams, and not just his own. Walter also begins to accept accountability for his own short-comings and ceases to project this upon his family and people. Walter begins to turn his anger into hope, disparity into possibility, and regret into opportunity. Walter realizes the true strength of his people, of his family, of the sacrifices that were made for him by others. He demonstrates his newfound or revitalized integrity when he refuses to become a sell-out to the white mans fears, and tells Mr. Linder:
Yeah. Well – what I mean is that we come from people who had a lot of pride. I mean – we are very proud people. And that’s my sister over there and she’s going to become a doctor – and we are very proud -. (III.3, 148)
Walters’s new demonstration of courage, pride and integrity touches his family in a most intimate way, and they display their love and respect for him in turn by supporting Walters in his statements toward Mr. Linder. Momma especially shows her pride for her son Walters taking the role as the head of the family when she responds to Mr. Linder when he tries to contradict Walter and turn mamma against Walter. Momma tells Mr. Linder:
I am afraid you don’t understand. My son said we was going to move and there ain’t nothing left for me to say. You know how these young folks is nowadays, mister. Can’t do a thing with ‘em. Goodbye. (III.3, 148-149).
A family is re-united in hope, sprung out of the annals of fear and repression. This story is one of courage and the ability of an oppressed people to find that courage within them selves to determine their own idea of success and community, of family and progress. Walter epitomizes the struggle of most colored people, especially the black man in the post-emancipation era of white-American culture. He symbolizes the struggle of the colored man to gain access in the white mans world and to retain his ancestral heritage and culture in the midst of great tribulations and socio-cultural changes that will effect his own children’s future. Walter becomes the image of slave becoming free, and that freedom becoming self-empowerment, a movement of self determination. This story also describes the predicament of many colored and poor people in describing the disparity between those that have and those that do not. Walter Lee presents the inner struggle of the black/colored man/woman in conflict with contemporary slavery, racism and classism as well, when he says.
This story shows how the ties to ones culture are part of ones strength and integrity, and what happens as a result of exploitative-acculturation and repression of ones cultural identity and history. It tells of the boy who endures a profound evolution into his manhood with the help of strong females in his life. Mama puts it very simply when she proudly acknowledges her son Walter, “He finally come into his manhood today, didn’t he? Kind of like a rainbow after the rain…” (III.3, 151). Mamas’ words ring true for many colored people today, as we struggle for true equality and justice in a system that has been built for whites, upon the backs of colored peoples.

[Abdiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

These plays are both written by Lorraine Hansberry, a highly influential African-American playwright, known for exploring themes of race, identity, and social justice. "A Raisin in the Sun" is considered a classic in American literature, as it was one of the first plays produced on Broadway written by an African-American woman. It delves into the dreams, struggles, and aspirations of an African-American family living in Chicago's South Side during the 1950s. On the other hand, "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window" focuses on a liberal white intellectual living in Greenwich Village during the 1960s, grappling with his own identity and societal issues.

The development of characters in both plays. In "A Raisin in the Sun," the characters are expertly crafted, each representing different perspectives and experiences within the Younger family. Lena (Mama) is the matriarch, whose strong beliefs and determination anchor the family. Walter Lee, her son, undergoes significant growth and transformation as he grapples with his dreams, identity, and responsibilities. Beneatha, Lena's daughter, explores her own identity and independence, representing the younger generation's aspirations for progress.

In "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window," the character development centers around Sidney Brustein himself, a complex and introspective character. As the play progresses, Sidney grapples with his own ideals and beliefs, confronting his biases and questioning his role in society. The supporting characters, such as Iris, his wife, and Alton, his best friend, also add depth to the story, showcasing different ideological perspectives.

As for the plot development, "A Raisin in the Sun" follows the Younger family's journey as they anticipate and react to a potential life-changing insurance check. The play explores the tensions, conflicts, and sacrifices the family members make as they navigate their individual dreams and the realities of systemic racism. The plot builds on the characters' hopes, setbacks, and resolutions.

"The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window" focuses on Sidney's struggle to find his purpose and meaning in the changing world around him. The plot revolves around Sidney's involvement in local politics and his growing disillusionment with activism. It tackles themes of identity, societal pressures, and the clash between personal aspirations and collective responsibilities.

Finally, as to whether I recommend these plays or not, I would highly recommend both "A Raisin in the Sun" and "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window" as they both offer thought-provoking themes, compelling character development, and rich storytelling that examine important social issues. They provide an opportunity for introspection and discussions about race, identity, and societal change.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm assuming this is the 25th anniversary edition with wonderful introductions to each play (my cover was different).

A classic I never read before (Raisin), one that has been recently revived again on Broadway and has been receiving some press (The Sign), and some fantastic introductions to each. I'm so glad to be introduced to Hansberry's work. I'm also now reading "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black" by Hansberry and feeling deeply the tragedy of losing such a mind so early (at 34) to cancer.

I read The Sign first and was not taken by it initially--it was something that I appreciated the further along I read into the play. I'm still not sure how I feel, but I was taken in by the introduction that recounts the way in which a bevy of Broadway celebrities and literary giants fought to extend the run. I also appreciated learning more about some of the problems of staging plays and the Broadway scene in general that I never knew before. Moving to Raisin, I had more ground under my feet, but also appreciated the introductions that provided support for the complexity of the play and the fact that the restored scenes were included in this edition. It isn't a feel-good "movin' on up" play, but so much more engaged in the challenging time in which Hansberry wrote this. Her prescience and ability to represent the connectedness between the various cultural influences was impressive.

I now want to see The Sign staged. I know there is much more humor than I read initially and I think a good production of it could bring more to life than I appreciated.

While both are rich and complex and stand the test of time, I think Raisin transcends more easily, while a reader of The Sign has to appreciate more the times in which this was created. This seems especially true in terms of the focus on so-called intellectuals in The Sign, the depictions of which seem more accessible in Raisin.

Definitely glad I took the time, even if part of it is the sadness to see how much remains the same in regard to race relations. The absurdity of our political landscape today is highlighted, including the whitewashing attempts to erase the real lived history of racism in our country.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rating is specifically for The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window.

Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if Hansberry had lived long enough to grow comfortable with her lesbian identity (which yes, we know for a fact now based on her journals and anonymous letters that she sent to the Daughters of Bilitis). In particular, I wonder how queer representation in her work would've changed. Based on the character David, her early creative interest in queer sexualities was, as David might say, "clinical." It would've been cool to see her reach the same level of self-acceptance as Alice Walker, Ann Allen Shockley, or Alison Bechdel. Alas.

[Peter McGarry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorraine Hansberry is hands down amongst the top of my very favorite playwrights. I adored both plays and was very moved reading the essays preceding them— particularly the story of the process of mounting The Sign…inspires me deeply and pretty epic to read about all these cultural and literary giants coming together to rally behind this play— thank god they did. I loved the Broadway revival and would love to be in a production one day. Brilliant writing

[Bearhands · Rating 4 out of 5]

A phenomenal piece of drama. Poetic, complex, heartbreaking, and at times triumphant. The play’s exploration of race, class, sex, and love is unparalleled in mid-20th century drama. Hansberry is a true craftsperson, and Raisin’s characters are some of the great figures in American dramatic history. Highly recommend reading!

[xuemei Yu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book three stars,The characters in the whole book are vivid. For Walter he is He wants to give his family a good life, but he is not reliable. It shows that he has a certain degree of confidence when he puts all his money into investment, and his failure is taken for granted without guarding against others.I think I'll like bad end better.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read Raisin in the Sun, for class. Very interesting to not have a central character and to develop all of them equally—it highlights the struggle it takes for them to become unified in the end because they are all so different. Sad but hopeful.

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorraine Hansberry 确实是young and gifted而且还非常美丽。 29岁的成名作，堪比雷雨之于曹禺(当然当时曹禺更加年轻)。 Hansberry 34岁就不幸离世，去世之前完成的the Sign in Sidney Brustein's window 是她创作的第二部戏剧。最近该剧在纽约上演。Oscar Issac 和Rachel Brosnahan精彩的表演，让我泪流不止！

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Raisin in the Sun" is a 5-star play.

This, however, concerns “The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window,” which is closer to a 3-star play, as it's vast and detailed and striving to be "so much," that it can't ever quite hit all the complexity it's trying for.

[Quinn da Matta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everyone talks at each other in annoying exposition. It was frustrating because the dialogue is written for the audience and makes the characters feel like they don’t know each other, or suffer from constant amnesia outbreaks.

[Hunter Jelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Raisin in the Sun: 4 stars
The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window: 2 Star

[billie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feel the need to explain the 3 stars. Raisin in the Sun was excellent but The Sign in Sidney Brunsteins Window, not so much. Couldnt wait to finish it. Shame...

[John Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raisin was 5 stars, excellent play that I did not find to be "middle class".
Sidney Brusteins Window just did not really interest me.

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love
excellent
Plays to keep on a shelf nearby to reread

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been familiar with raisin for quite some time, but I read The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window prior to seeing the play a week from now. Interested to see it play out on stage.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

walter lee you will CRUMBLE