Hosted by Eli Wallach, this program dissects Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun through the sharp insights of Joe Morton (Walter Lee Younger); Kim Yancey (Beneatha Younger); Phylicia Rashad (Lena Younger); Ruby Dee, Audra McDonald, Starletta DuPois, and Ernestine Jackson (Ruth Younger); Ralph Carter (Travis Younger); John Fiedler (Carl Lindner); directors Lloyd Richards and Jack Hofsiss; Broadway producer Philip Rose; and Hansberry expert Lynn Domina, author of Understanding A Raisin in the Sun: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. The first play to realistically portray the daily lives of a contemporary African-American family, Raisin-a revolutionary work about race written during the civil rights era-makes the universal statement that dreams of a better future are important to everyone.

Encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on Jan. 23, 2008. Learn360 is distributed by Infobase for Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware.

1950s America and "A Raisin in the Sun" (1:50) -- The Cast of "A Raisin in the Sun" (2:41) -- Black American History and the Character of Ruth Younger (5:02) -- Younger Family Dynamics (5:03) -- The Character of Lena Younger (2:06) -- The Relationship Between Ruth and Walter Lee (2:33) -- Experiences and Relationships of the Younger Women (2:27) -- Hopes, Dreams, Obstacles, and Money (4:28) -- Ruth's Personal Crisis: Pregnancy (1:59) -- Ruth's Personal Crisis: Considering Abortion (3:33) -- Ruth's Personal Crisis: Pregnancy, Money, and a Troubled Marriage (2:26) -- Ruth's Personal Crisis: Resolution (1:47) -- Salvation or Death Sentence: Black Family in a White Neighborhood (2:15) -- Walter Lee Falls Down (3:34) -- Walter Lee Stands Tall (2:01) -- Creating an American Classic: Lorraine Hansberry (2:27) -- "A Raisin in the Sun," Civil Rights, and the Black American Experience (2:01).