In "A Raisin in the Sun", what is the setting (not inside the apartment but outside). How does everyone interact with one another? What impressions...

Although the entire play is set inside the Youngers' apartment, it takes place in Chicago during the height of segregation. Through much of the play, we do not see first-hand how the Youngers are treated by whites, but we hear about it in their conversations and understand the impact of it through their tone and body language. Mama is a maid in a white household; Walter is a chauffeur for a white man; Beneatha, although she attends college, seems to only interact with other black students. Each of these characters deals with their status as "lower class" in different ways. Mama maintains her dignity by taking care of her family first; Walter tries constantly to be more-- at times, more white. On the other hand, Beneatha fights assimilation.

During all of this, we hear of black families who are threatened and even killed for moving into white neighborhoods. Mama ignores the dangers and buys a house in a white neighborhood. At this point the outside enters their apartment. Mr. Lindner, a white man who represents the new neighborhood, tries to buy the family out of their new house. The family has to decide between money and dignity.