After I read the play “a raisin in the sun” by Hansberry, I get to know that the author has utilized the stage directions to depict the portrayal of each character and the place where this play occurs. In the play, by using detailed stage directions, readers are able to understand the specific actions of each character and expect what is going to happen. The characters live in an old, crowded and poor house, and their quality of life is lower compared to white class. And each of them dream of living in the life as good as whites. They work hard to reduce the racial segregation and dream of living in the life that is as good as whites. Ruth’s husband, Walter Lee. He wants to invest on a liquor store to earn enough money to make the life better. His younger sister, Beneatha, has the different belief compared to her brother. She does not care about the money from her father’s insurance, but she is eager to become a doctor in the future and make changes of her life by herself. However, she is facing the identity and status in the society. Their mother, Lena, as well know as MAMA in the play, she wants to distribute her husband’s insurance money into two. One for Beneatha’s education, and one for buying the house with more bedrooms and a backyard. The main purpose of these actions is to improve their quality of life and reduce the racial gap between them and the whites. The stage directions help connect each character with each other, and allows the audience to understand the true meaning behind the play more clearly.

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