MR. MOCCIA

A Raisin in The Sun: In Review

Back to Hughes Poem

Who applies to which simile?Confirms Hughes’ point:

We all respond differently to our dreams being deferred

Additional point: It isn’t simply our personality or tendencies that define our responses to problems; it is also our choices, which can go beyond our tendencies

Stereotypes

The play explores stereotypes, particularly gender stereotypes Example: A woman must be married; a woman is not a

doctor; a woman shouldn’t be outspokenThe play also explores how we often respond

to those who reject stereotypes: we label them negatively

What do men (and women) often call women who speak their mind and act independently?

The Play’s Times: Race and Racism

The play speaks overtly out against two common social ideas/practices: Booker T Washington and the

“go slow” approach; compromise and don’t make waves; gain civil rights unobtrusively and without big controversy

Disguised Racism: Linder Today? Education?

Symbols

Physical Symbols: Plant Window Robes; music Liquor store What else?

Intangible symbols: Beneatha’s plan to be a doctor Walter’s decision What else?

Characters: Dynamic vs. Static

Who is static?Who is dynamic?Who learns the most?

Play’s Realism

What unknowns does the play end with? Baby? Beneatha: doctor; Africa? Money/mortgage? Neighborhood/racism?

Why? Realistic: It would undercut

some of Hansberry's most important points to make it look like everything will just end perfectly; she assumes we will struggle.

Format for Assessment

Part 1: Factual (30 points) Info on Hansberry, etc. (Introductory PowerPoint) Plot of play

Part 2: Quotation Analysis (30 points) See quotation analysis sheet

Part 3: Open-Ended (40 points) Analytic responses