‘It isn’t desolate because you are here’: Lorraine Hansberry’s comedy in Raisin in the Sun and ‘The Arrival of Mr. Todog’

Abstract

Lorraine Hansberry’s work is often noted for the seriousness of its purpose, while many have passingly noted the comedic elements of her output. This article examines Hansberry’s use of two distinct comedic registers, one in Raisin in the Sun, and another in the unpublished short play, ‘The Arrival of Mr. Todog’. Drawing on Glenda R. Carpio’s linking of African American modes of comedy to existing formulations of Western comedic practice allows a close reading of both plays, showcasing the variety of Hansberry’s comedic modes. In Raisin, Hansberry uses Janus-faced relief comedy for character development and to couch strident political critiques in a more palatable form. To this end, some of Hansberry’s more radical messages were missed by certain audiences. In ‘Mr. Todog’, Hansberry instead uses incongruous comedy to directly critique the work of Samuel Beckett and her understanding of his philosophy as nihilistic. She uses both of these forms of comedy to ward off despair or resignation. The paper showcases not only the functions and variety of Hansberry’s comedy but also how this comedy served as a vital tool serving the larger social goals of her work.