A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the Sun

Building Background: A look Building Background: A look at settingat setting

The 1950’s in a glance…The 1950’s in a glance…

A glance at the 1950’s A glance at the 1950’s viewpoints….viewpoints….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5bAUO7cEU0

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

A frank exploration of cultural/racial A frank exploration of cultural/racial stereotyping should “break the ice.” stereotyping should “break the ice.” Topics to which you are asked to Topics to which you are asked to respond should relate to your respond should relate to your personal experiences and personal experiences and observations.observations.

1. What is a stereotype? Give an 1. What is a stereotype? Give an example.example.

2. Identify the ethnic/racial/religious 2. Identify the ethnic/racial/religious groups to which you belong. Discuss one groups to which you belong. Discuss one way in which one or all of these groups way in which one or all of these groups are stereotyped. How does this make you are stereotyped. How does this make you feel?feel?

3. Give some examples of how African-3. Give some examples of how African-Americans have been stereotyped.Americans have been stereotyped.

4. Give some examples of stereotyping 4. Give some examples of stereotyping of white Americans.of white Americans.

5. Using any stereotype you have been 5. Using any stereotype you have been subjected to; explain the basis for this subjected to; explain the basis for this stereotype.stereotype.

6. How does this make you feel? How 6. How does this make you feel? How might this stereotype interfere with your might this stereotype interfere with your ability to be successful or happy?ability to be successful or happy?

7. Using any stereotype of an 7. Using any stereotype of an ethnic/racial/religious group of which you ethnic/racial/religious group of which you are not a member, explain the basis for the are not a member, explain the basis for the stereotype. How do you think this makes stereotype. How do you think this makes the members of this group feel? How might the members of this group feel? How might this stereotype impede a group member’s this stereotype impede a group member’s ability to be successful or happy?ability to be successful or happy?

8. Relate a situation in which one of your 8. Relate a situation in which one of your stereotyped attitudes turned out to be stereotyped attitudes turned out to be wrong. How do you feel now?wrong. How do you feel now?

9. What is meant by prejudice? How do 9. What is meant by prejudice? How do stereotypes relate to prejudice?stereotypes relate to prejudice?

The American DreamThe American Dream

Why do people from other countries Why do people from other countries immigrate to America? immigrate to America?

When we talk about "The American When we talk about "The American Dream", what do we mean? What are Dream", what do we mean? What are some of the obstacles to achieving some of the obstacles to achieving the American Dream? the American Dream?

Which groups of people have had Which groups of people have had trouble attaining "The American trouble attaining "The American Dream"? There are a variety of Dream"? There are a variety of acceptable responses to this question. acceptable responses to this question. E.g. Native Americans, Irish Americans, E.g. Native Americans, Irish Americans, African Americans, Chinese Americans, African Americans, Chinese Americans, and Japanese Americans, as well as the and Japanese Americans, as well as the poor and women. poor and women.

Given the obstacles that some Given the obstacles that some Americans have to overcome, what Americans have to overcome, what makes the American Dream appealing?makes the American Dream appealing?

DEFINE “THE AMERICAN DREAM”DEFINE “THE AMERICAN DREAM” the american dream

Getting to know the Getting to know the characters….characters….

Each pair will chart a list of physical Each pair will chart a list of physical and personality/character traits as and personality/character traits as you read the screenplay.you read the screenplay.

During each meeting, discuss the During each meeting, discuss the character traits you learn about your character traits you learn about your characters to develop a character characters to develop a character portrait.portrait.

Once the play is finished, each pair Once the play is finished, each pair should construct a complete should construct a complete portrait/sketch of their characterportrait/sketch of their character

Portrait/SketchPortrait/Sketch The portrait should include:The portrait should include:

A collage that will reveal your A collage that will reveal your character’s personality, dreams, struggles, character’s personality, dreams, struggles, mannerisms, attitudes, etc. through images. mannerisms, attitudes, etc. through images. To consider: what symbols represent him or To consider: what symbols represent him or her in the play? What colors and shapes do her in the play? What colors and shapes do you most associate with your character? What you most associate with your character? What setting do you see your character in? Be setting do you see your character in? Be creative and take risks, but be prepared to creative and take risks, but be prepared to explain your choices. The collage should have explain your choices. The collage should have a neat design. You may use drawings, a neat design. You may use drawings, pictures from magazines, the internet, etc.pictures from magazines, the internet, etc.

As well as one of the following options:As well as one of the following options:

dramatic readings from the play to dramatic readings from the play to reveal character’s personalityreveal character’s personality

video presentation of the charactervideo presentation of the character Animoto creation to describe Animoto creation to describe

charactercharacter