Thaction of the play takes place in the poor South side of Chicago, sometime after World War II, probably around 1959. Most of the action takes place in the apartment of the Youngers, especially in the living/dining room and near the bathroom that they share with the Johnson family. Some of the action also takes place in the kitchen and in the two small bedrooms. The first bedroom is shared by Mama and her daughter, Beneatha; the second serves as a bedroom for Walter and his wife, Ruth. The furnishings in the Younger household are typical and tasteful, but worn; it is obvious that they have had to accommodate too many people for too many years. Additionally, the rooms are dark, for there are only a few small windows

Walter's main problem, or antagonist, is himself. Dreaming of a better life, he follows a foolish get-rich scheme, investing the family insurance money in a business venture against his mother's wishes. Additionally, he also considers giving in to the pressure applied by the whites who do not want Walter and his family to move in to their neighborhood.

The play reaches its climax when the Youngers learn that Willy has run off with all of the insurance money. This action causes Walter to grow up. He is forced to see the error of his ways, to face reality instead of living in a dream world, and to make some important, mature decisions.

"What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?"

Some topics in this essay:
Beneatha Walter, Beneatha Lena's, Clybourne Park, War II, South Chicago, Walter Younger's, Bobo Willy, Ruth Walter, WALTER Noâ€it, Mama Walter, insurance money, clybourne park, throughout play, south chicago, money stolen, insurance money stolen, move house, ghetto south chicago, ruth daughter-in-law, mama money, significant terms, ghetto south, significant terms story, money business venture, money stolen willy,