The time period in which Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun is set plays an important role in this play. The historical period moves throughout the action, influencing the different characters in the work and their decisions. The setting of the show is the Chicago Southside circa 1950s, when society begins to change. The Younger family faces many problems during this period and their decisions are greatly influenced by them. Their environment and character traits are influenced by this time period, as time is important to African Americans like the Younger family. This time period definitely influences the work in a big way. The time period plays an important role in the work, because it keeps the reader interested in the lives of the characters. The setting of the story shows a place with really bad living conditions for people, in places like the "Black Belt" and "Bronzeville". Problems related to gangs, violence and poverty have caused poor and unsafe conditions for the people living there. This aspect of the time period is seen in the play due to how the Youngers' house is very worn down and has horrible living conditions. In the introduction to the work we read “here a table or chair has been moved to hide the worn spots on the carpet; but the carpet reacted by showing its tiredness, with depressing uniformity, elsewhere on the surface. Not only is the house extremely worn out and in a horrible or depressing state, but it also affects young Travis because he doesn't exactly have a bed, but has to sleep on the living room couch. The time period also introduced discrimination against blacks, as shown in the play with Lindner hoping to buy the Youngers out of their home at Clybourne Park. The fight again... middle of paper... definitely consider going against the law so that another life doesn't depend on her. These decisions are influenced by the time period, because historical time influenced Ruth's life as a housewife and her decisions to commit a crime to abort the baby. The setting of the play, being the Southside of Chicago in the 1950s and 1960s, influences the play's protagonists, such as Beneatha and Ruth, as well as the decisions they choose to make. Readers can see how the characters in this historical play behaved based on the time period and the expectations of others. Discrimination, poor living conditions, illegal abortion, the struggle to change gender roles, and generational adjustment were all part of the 1950s and 1960s. This time period plays a very important role in the play because it brings out the problems that people face during that time.