A Raisin In The Sun Film And Play Comparison Essay
A Raisin in the Sun: Comparisons between Film and Play
A Raisin in the Sun is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry. The drama explores the human experience in the Chicago ghetto of the 1950’s. It was adapted into a film in 1961 by Columbia Pictures Corporation that was also written by Lorraine Hansberry. The film was intended as an interpretation of the play with many similarities, but there are several distinctions that allow each of the versions to stand as an independent work.
When reading or watching a production of the play, the narrative happens entirely in the Younger’s living room. It was painted as the home of poor, black people, in Chicago’s Southside and in the play it was the only set the audience was able to see. The film, in contrast, was able to have a variety of sets. The film was able to set portions of the drama in Walter’s and Ruth’s bedroom, Beneatha’s and Mama’s bedroom, Walter’s work, and the bar where Walter hung out and made deals. We were also able to see the new house and visualize the difference in standards the family was attempting. The different …show more content…
There were changes to where scenes take place, how the apartment was portrayed and characterization of Walter. The film also better allowed the audience to view the actors’ emotions. The added scenes were used to bring the play into reality and show Walter’s way of life at work and at the bar better. The change in the final scene where the family goes to the new house was an important part of the film because it shows how much the family was longing to have their own house. Every one of the family members desired to move from the filthy place they lived in. Finally, when Mama raises her arms to strike Walter was a powerful scene. This scene acted out on screen is one that words alone could not explain better than seeing the actors perform
A Raisin in the Sun is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry. The drama explores the human experience in the Chicago ghetto of the 1950’s. It was adapted into a film in 1961 by Columbia Pictures Corporation that was also written by Lorraine Hansberry. The film was intended as an interpretation of the play with many similarities, but there are several distinctions that allow each of the versions to stand as an independent work.
When reading or watching a production of the play, the narrative happens entirely in the Younger’s living room. It was painted as the home of poor, black people, in Chicago’s Southside and in the play it was the only set the audience was able to see. The film, in contrast, was able to have a variety of sets. The film was able to set portions of the drama in Walter’s and Ruth’s bedroom, Beneatha’s and Mama’s bedroom, Walter’s work, and the bar where Walter hung out and made deals. We were also able to see the new house and visualize the difference in standards the family was attempting. The different …show more content…
There were changes to where scenes take place, how the apartment was portrayed and characterization of Walter. The film also better allowed the audience to view the actors’ emotions. The added scenes were used to bring the play into reality and show Walter’s way of life at work and at the bar better. The change in the final scene where the family goes to the new house was an important part of the film because it shows how much the family was longing to have their own house. Every one of the family members desired to move from the filthy place they lived in. Finally, when Mama raises her arms to strike Walter was a powerful scene. This scene acted out on screen is one that words alone could not explain better than seeing the actors perform