Introduction
PDF copy of the play:
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KWL Chart (Civil Rights Movement):
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Anticipation Guide:
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Assignments
Group charts
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theme Tracker
a_raisin_in_the_sun_theme_tracker.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Act I, Scene I
1. The stage directions say that the living room in the Younger apartment might be comfortable and well-ordered, but ''weariness" has "won in this room." What physical details of the living room set show these qualities?
2. Walter's wife, Ruth, is described as a pretty "girl," who is changing into a "settled woman." Based on what you've read so far, infer what has happened to change Ruth's beauty.
3. Analyze Walter and Ruth's relationship, citing three examples from the text.
4. How do you think Walter's missed opportunity with the dry cleaning business has affected his relationship with Ruth?
5. What does this family's existence seem to center around at this moment?
6. How does Walter think women should treat their men?
7. What is Walter' relationship with Beneatha like? Cite two examples.
8. We see the American Dream emerge as a theme in this scene. Where does it first appear?
9. In conversations with Ruth and Beneatha in this scene, Mama's values become more clear. How does Mama feel about money?
10. Mama compares her plant to her children. How are the plant and the children alike? What does the plant symbolize to Mama?
Act I, Scene II
1. What is revealed about Ruth and where she has been? What is she thinking about doing, and why might she be considering such a thing?
2. Compare and contrast Asagai and George Murchison.
3. When Mama gets the check, Travis says, "what's the matter with Grandmama—don't she want to be rich?" Why is Mama actually crying?
4. Walter rushes in demanding to know whether the check has arrived. How does he show his insensitivity to the situation at home?
5. What evidence shows that Walter is not entirely selfish in wanting to have the insurance money?
6. How do Walter's and Mama's views of the meaning of life conflict?
7. Explain the example of dramatic irony that occurs when Walter and Ruth talk at the end of this scene.
Act II, Scene i
1. How does the arrival of George Murchison change the mood of the scene?
2. Beneatha calls George an "assimilationist." What does she mean by that?
3. How did George and Walter feel toward each other?
4. Explain what this metaphor from Walter tells us about him: "Here I am a giant—surrounded by ants! Ants who can't even understand what it is the giant is talking about."
5. What evidence is there that Walter and Ruth still love each other, despite their problems?
6. Are you okay with Mama buying the house? Consider all the evidence for and against before making your decision (the house's location, lack of input from family members, it's her money, etc.).
7. What event(s) earlier in the play helped foreshadow Beneatha's choice to become more "African"?
Act II, Scene II
1. What sort of woman does George say he wants Beneatha to be? And why doesn't George want to listen to Beneatha's ideas?
2. Why does Beneatha thank her mother?
3. Explain this line by Beneatha. Consider that Beneatha might be talking about Mrs. Johnson as a type of black person: "Mama, if there are two things we, as a people, have got to overcome, one is the Klu Klux Klan—and the other is Mrs. Johnson."
4. How does Ruth find out that Walter has not been to work for three days? What has Walter been doing instead of going to work?
5. How does Mama react to Walter's explanation of where he's been? What does she give Walter, and how does Walter react to being entrusted with it?
6. When Walter tells Travis that he wants to hand him the world, what sort of life is Walter envisioning for his family?
7. Why do you think this scene was cut from the original production of the play? Should it have been?
Act II, Scene III
1. Does Walter's reaction to Lindner's offer show us that he is not simply motivated by money?
2. What is significant about Mama's preparing her plant for the move as she listens to the details of the encounter with Lindner? What does the plant represent for her?
3. If the bombings and the visit from the Welcoming Committee represented how white people held down African Americans, does Willy Harris' betrayal and/or Mrs. Johnson's speech (II.2) represent how African Americans have held themselves down? Explain.
4. Predict how the rest of the play will unfold.
Act III
1. When Asagai arrives at the apartment, how does his mood contrast with Walter's and Beneatha's?
2. Summarize Beneatha's conversation with Asagai.
3. How does Asagai define idealists and realists? Which group does he prefer to be associated with and why?
4. What alternative view of the future does Asagai offer to put Beneatha's depression in perspective?
5. How is Mama's resignation evident in her changed physical appearance? Why does Mama put her plant back on the windowsill?
6. Describe Walter's new view of life as being divided between the "takers" and the "tooken."
7. Would taking the white neighborhood's money represent enslavement in a way? Why or why not?
8. Even though they love one another and have just acted heroically, the play ends with Walter and Beneatha arguing again. What do their actions now say about them as "heroes"?
9. What change do both Mama and Ruth find in Walter?
10. What is the importance of having Mama return to the empty apartment to grab her plant?
1. The stage directions say that the living room in the Younger apartment might be comfortable and well-ordered, but ''weariness" has "won in this room." What physical details of the living room set show these qualities?
2. Walter's wife, Ruth, is described as a pretty "girl," who is changing into a "settled woman." Based on what you've read so far, infer what has happened to change Ruth's beauty.
3. Analyze Walter and Ruth's relationship, citing three examples from the text.
4. How do you think Walter's missed opportunity with the dry cleaning business has affected his relationship with Ruth?
5. What does this family's existence seem to center around at this moment?
6. How does Walter think women should treat their men?
7. What is Walter' relationship with Beneatha like? Cite two examples.
8. We see the American Dream emerge as a theme in this scene. Where does it first appear?
9. In conversations with Ruth and Beneatha in this scene, Mama's values become more clear. How does Mama feel about money?
10. Mama compares her plant to her children. How are the plant and the children alike? What does the plant symbolize to Mama?
Act I, Scene II
1. What is revealed about Ruth and where she has been? What is she thinking about doing, and why might she be considering such a thing?
2. Compare and contrast Asagai and George Murchison.
3. When Mama gets the check, Travis says, "what's the matter with Grandmama—don't she want to be rich?" Why is Mama actually crying?
4. Walter rushes in demanding to know whether the check has arrived. How does he show his insensitivity to the situation at home?
5. What evidence shows that Walter is not entirely selfish in wanting to have the insurance money?
6. How do Walter's and Mama's views of the meaning of life conflict?
7. Explain the example of dramatic irony that occurs when Walter and Ruth talk at the end of this scene.
Act II, Scene i
1. How does the arrival of George Murchison change the mood of the scene?
2. Beneatha calls George an "assimilationist." What does she mean by that?
3. How did George and Walter feel toward each other?
4. Explain what this metaphor from Walter tells us about him: "Here I am a giant—surrounded by ants! Ants who can't even understand what it is the giant is talking about."
5. What evidence is there that Walter and Ruth still love each other, despite their problems?
6. Are you okay with Mama buying the house? Consider all the evidence for and against before making your decision (the house's location, lack of input from family members, it's her money, etc.).
7. What event(s) earlier in the play helped foreshadow Beneatha's choice to become more "African"?
Act II, Scene II
1. What sort of woman does George say he wants Beneatha to be? And why doesn't George want to listen to Beneatha's ideas?
2. Why does Beneatha thank her mother?
3. Explain this line by Beneatha. Consider that Beneatha might be talking about Mrs. Johnson as a type of black person: "Mama, if there are two things we, as a people, have got to overcome, one is the Klu Klux Klan—and the other is Mrs. Johnson."
4. How does Ruth find out that Walter has not been to work for three days? What has Walter been doing instead of going to work?
5. How does Mama react to Walter's explanation of where he's been? What does she give Walter, and how does Walter react to being entrusted with it?
6. When Walter tells Travis that he wants to hand him the world, what sort of life is Walter envisioning for his family?
7. Why do you think this scene was cut from the original production of the play? Should it have been?
Act II, Scene III
1. Does Walter's reaction to Lindner's offer show us that he is not simply motivated by money?
2. What is significant about Mama's preparing her plant for the move as she listens to the details of the encounter with Lindner? What does the plant represent for her?
3. If the bombings and the visit from the Welcoming Committee represented how white people held down African Americans, does Willy Harris' betrayal and/or Mrs. Johnson's speech (II.2) represent how African Americans have held themselves down? Explain.
4. Predict how the rest of the play will unfold.
Act III
1. When Asagai arrives at the apartment, how does his mood contrast with Walter's and Beneatha's?
2. Summarize Beneatha's conversation with Asagai.
3. How does Asagai define idealists and realists? Which group does he prefer to be associated with and why?
4. What alternative view of the future does Asagai offer to put Beneatha's depression in perspective?
5. How is Mama's resignation evident in her changed physical appearance? Why does Mama put her plant back on the windowsill?
6. Describe Walter's new view of life as being divided between the "takers" and the "tooken."
7. Would taking the white neighborhood's money represent enslavement in a way? Why or why not?
8. Even though they love one another and have just acted heroically, the play ends with Walter and Beneatha arguing again. What do their actions now say about them as "heroes"?
9. What change do both Mama and Ruth find in Walter?
10. What is the importance of having Mama return to the empty apartment to grab her plant?
Personal Ads
Create a personal ad for two adult members of the Younger family using your character chart. Your ad should include both physical and character traits, as well as the character's goals/desires.
Example:
FRISKY COUGAR, 84, seeks dude, 72 to 76, share walks from parking lots to doctors' offices. Must like detailed descriptions of illnesses; enjoy matinee "naps"; daytime driving essential; relishes grandchildren's pictures. Limited flatulence, clacking teeth ok. Don't anticipate LTR.
Example:
FRISKY COUGAR, 84, seeks dude, 72 to 76, share walks from parking lots to doctors' offices. Must like detailed descriptions of illnesses; enjoy matinee "naps"; daytime driving essential; relishes grandchildren's pictures. Limited flatulence, clacking teeth ok. Don't anticipate LTR.
Discussion Questions and Lit. Circles
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Connections
The Harlem Renassiance
"A Dream Deferred"
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"Ballad of the Landlord"
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What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore-- And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?
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Landlord, landlord,
My roof has sprung a leak. Don't you 'member I told you about it Way last week? Landlord, landlord, These steps is broken down. When you come up yourself It's a wonder you don't fall down. Ten Bucks you say I owe you? Ten Bucks you say is due? Well, that's Ten Bucks more'n I'l pay you Till you fix this house up new. What? You gonna get eviction orders? You gonna cut off my heat? You gonna take my furniture and Throw it in the street? Um-huh! You talking high and mighty. Talk on-till you get through. You ain't gonna be able to say a word If I land my fist on you. Police! Police! Come and get this man! He's trying to ruin the government And overturn the land! Copper's whistle! Patrol bell! Arrest. Precinct Station. Iron cell. Headlines in press: MAN THREATENS LANDLORD TENANT HELD NO BAIL JUDGE GIVES NEGRO 90 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL! |
"Started from the Bottom"
Chorus
Started from the bottom now we’re here
Started from the bottom now my whole team’s here
Started from the bottom now we’re here
Started from the bottom now the whole team’s here
Started from the bottom now we’re here
Started from the bottom now my whole team’s here
Started from the bottom now we’re here
Started from the bottom now the whole team’s here
Verse 1
I’ve kept it real from the jump
Living at my mama's house, we’d argue every month
I was trying to get it on my own
Working all night, traffic on the way home
And my Uncle calling me like where you at?
I gave you the keys told you bring it right back
I just think it's funny how it goes
Now I'm on the road, half a million for a show
Verse 2
Boys tell stories about The Man
Say “I never struggled, wasn't hungry,”
Yeah, I doubt it
I can turn your boy into The Man
There ain’t really much out here that's poppin' off without us
We just want the credit where it's due
I'm going to worry about me, not care about you [edited]
Just as a reminder to myself
I wear every single chain even when I'm in the house, cause we
Repeat Chorus
Started from the bottom now we’re here
Started from the bottom now my whole team’s here
Started from the bottom now we’re here
Started from the bottom now the whole team’s here
Started from the bottom now we’re here
Started from the bottom now my whole team’s here
Started from the bottom now we’re here
Started from the bottom now the whole team’s here
Verse 1
I’ve kept it real from the jump
Living at my mama's house, we’d argue every month
I was trying to get it on my own
Working all night, traffic on the way home
And my Uncle calling me like where you at?
I gave you the keys told you bring it right back
I just think it's funny how it goes
Now I'm on the road, half a million for a show
Verse 2
Boys tell stories about The Man
Say “I never struggled, wasn't hungry,”
Yeah, I doubt it
I can turn your boy into The Man
There ain’t really much out here that's poppin' off without us
We just want the credit where it's due
I'm going to worry about me, not care about you [edited]
Just as a reminder to myself
I wear every single chain even when I'm in the house, cause we
Repeat Chorus
Essential Questions
1. Compare and contrast this song with the ideas put forth in A Raisin in the Sun.
2. How does “Started from the Bottom” embody the American Dream?
3. Look at the lines “We just want the credit where it's due / I'm going to worry about me, not care about you.” Does achieving the American Dream necessarily come at the cost of empathy and care for others?
4. What does it mean to “keep it real”?
5. Is making “half a million for a show” still keeping it real? Would the Youngers agree?
6. From these lyrics, what can you infer about the quality of Drake’s relationships with family members? How does this compare with the play?
7. When Drake uses “we” instead of “I” in the second to last line of the second verse, who is part of “we”?
1. Compare and contrast this song with the ideas put forth in A Raisin in the Sun.
2. How does “Started from the Bottom” embody the American Dream?
3. Look at the lines “We just want the credit where it's due / I'm going to worry about me, not care about you.” Does achieving the American Dream necessarily come at the cost of empathy and care for others?
4. What does it mean to “keep it real”?
5. Is making “half a million for a show” still keeping it real? Would the Youngers agree?
6. From these lyrics, what can you infer about the quality of Drake’s relationships with family members? How does this compare with the play?
7. When Drake uses “we” instead of “I” in the second to last line of the second verse, who is part of “we”?
"Liquor Store Blues"
Now greetings to the world!
Standing at this liquor store, Whiskey coming through my pores, Feeling like I run this whole block. Lotto tickets cheap beer That's why you can catch me here, Tryna scratch my way up to the top. 'Cause my job got me going nowhere, So I ain't got a thing to lose. Take me to a place where I don't care, This is me and my liquor store blues. I'll take one shot for my pain, One drag for my sorrow. Get messed up today, I'll be ok tomorrow. One shot for my pain, One drag for my sorrow. Get messed up today, I'll be ok tomorrow. Me and my guitar tonight, Singing to the city lights, Tryna live on more than what I got. 'Cause '68 cents ain't gonna pay the rent, So I'll be out here 'til they call the cops. |
'Cause my job got me going nowhere,
So I ain't got a thing to lose. Take me to a place where I don't care, This is me and my liquor store blues. I'll take one shot for my pain, One drag for my sorrow. Get messed up today, I'll be ok tomorrow. One shot for my pain, One drag for my sorrow. Get messed up today, I'll be ok tomorrow. Here comes Junior Gong, I'm flying high like Superman And thinking that I run the whole block, I don't know if it's just because pineapple kush between my jaws Has got me feeling like I'm on top Give me this one shot for my pain, One drag for my sorrow. Get messed up today, I'll be ok tomorrow. One shot for my pain, One drag for my sorrow. Get messed up today, I'll be ok tomorrow. Now greetings to the world! You best believe! |
Langston Hughes: "One Friday Morning" |
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Alice Walker: "Everyday Use" |
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Housing Segregation Article:
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Timed Writings
Your responses should include topic sentences, clearly answer all of the questions in the prompt, use evidence from the play, and use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Be sure to cite all your quotes properly.
1. Why is the play called A Raisin in the Sun? What evidence about the family, their living situation, etc. informs your answer? Provide evidence from the book to prove your point.
2. Do you think the play’s ending was a happy one? Why or why not? Prove your point with evidence from the book
3. Predict where each member of the Younger family would be a year from the end of the play. Use relevant information from the text to support these predictions.
4. Why do you think the play has lasted as long as it has? What about the play keeps people reading it almost 60 years later?
5. Explain the importance of trust in the play. In what different places does the family place its trust?
6. Explain how the Youngers can be considered a metaphor for African Americans as a whole during this time period.
7. Where in this play do we see evidence of the struggle between assimilationism (attempting to rise and fit in within the dominant white culture) vs. anti-assimilationism (celebrating and expressing cultural roots)?
8. Is Assagai's idea of moving back to Africa simply another iteration of the Youngers' decision about whether or not to assimilate into the white world around them?
1. Why is the play called A Raisin in the Sun? What evidence about the family, their living situation, etc. informs your answer? Provide evidence from the book to prove your point.
2. Do you think the play’s ending was a happy one? Why or why not? Prove your point with evidence from the book
3. Predict where each member of the Younger family would be a year from the end of the play. Use relevant information from the text to support these predictions.
4. Why do you think the play has lasted as long as it has? What about the play keeps people reading it almost 60 years later?
5. Explain the importance of trust in the play. In what different places does the family place its trust?
6. Explain how the Youngers can be considered a metaphor for African Americans as a whole during this time period.
7. Where in this play do we see evidence of the struggle between assimilationism (attempting to rise and fit in within the dominant white culture) vs. anti-assimilationism (celebrating and expressing cultural roots)?
8. Is Assagai's idea of moving back to Africa simply another iteration of the Youngers' decision about whether or not to assimilate into the white world around them?