The A Raisin in the Sun grade level is 9th grade and up. (I have used the play for an advanced group of 8th graders.) Even though the reading grade level for A Raisin in the Sun is low, the issues, themes, and context are more appropriate for High School.
Is A Raisin in the Sun appropriate for middle school?
A Raisin in the Sun debuted on Broadway in 1959. The Rep’s current production is recommended for sixth grade and above, and there are some very serious topics, including a short storyline about abortion, some profanity including the “n” word and a lot of harsh bickering between Walter Lee and his wife, Ruth.
Why should students read A Raisin in the Sun?
A critical reading of A Raisin in the Sun offers students many opportunities to evaluate the shifting meaning of and access to what has been constructed as “The American Dream” in U.S. history and culture.
How many weeks does it take to teach A Raisin in the Sun?
A Raisin in the Sun 4-5 Week Unit – AP Literature
In fact, it was #1 on their list of things I must continue to teach. This is a stand-alone 4-5 week unit that covers the play as well as 4 poems connected to the play. All of the slide decks are Pear/Deck style, but you can edit them to meet your needs.
Would you recommend A Raisin in the Sun?
I would definitely recommend A Raisin in the Sun to anybody who reads at a high school level and above because although it has somewhat mature concepts integrated into the plot, it tells a great story of a family that will not allow their dreams to be deferred.
What genre is A Raisin in the Sun?
Domestic drama
A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that debuted on Broadway in 1959. The title comes from the poem “Harlem” (also known as “A Dream Deferred”) by Langston Hughes.
| A Raisin in the Sun | |
|---|---|
| Place premiered | Ethel Barrymore Theatre |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Domestic drama |
| Setting | South Side, Chicago |
What is the book A Raisin in the Sun about?
A Raisin in the Sun is a play about an African American family aspiring to move beyond segregation and disenfranchisement in 1950s Chicago. Despite its specific era, the work speaks universally to the desire to improve one’s circumstances while disagreeing on the best way of achieving them.
Is A Raisin in the Sun taught in schools?
Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun is a sturdy classic of 20th century American literature and African-American literature and history, and it deserves to be as widely taught in high school English classes as it is.
Why is it called raisin in the sun?
The play’s title is taken from “Harlem,” a poem by Langston Hughes, which examines the question “What happens to a dream deferred?/Does it dry up/like a raisin in the sun?” This penetrating psychological study of a working-class black family on the south side of Chicago in the late 1940s reflected Hansberry’s own
What are the major themes in A Raisin in the Sun?
The major themes of A Raisin in the Sun include dreams, pride, money, race, and family. Each character in the play demonstrates at least one of the themes through their interactions with other characters.
How does the play A Raisin in the Sun relevant to our society today?
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry has lots of elements that shine light on problems that happened and are still happening in American history. The play shows problems like racial inequality, gender in equality, views about other countries, and the problem with money.
Is Beneatha sincere when she says forgive me for ever wanting to be anything at all?
What does Beneatha mean when she says, “forgive me for ever wanting to be anything at all”? She is angry that her brother does not recognize her dreams and feels that he is selfish for denying her right to want to be a success. What does Walter tell Beneatha she should do with her life?
What plans for the $10 000 does each member of the family have in mind A Raisin in the Sun?
Each family member sees the money as a ticket to their dreams. His widow Lena, or “Mama,” wants to buy a house; their son Walter Lee wants to open a liquor store; their daughter Beneatha wants to go to medical school.
What is the name of the bar where Walter goes?
The Green Hat
“A Raisin in the Sun”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What was the name of the bar that Walter always went to? | The Green Hat |
| What was the name of the neighbor who talked to Mama about the article in the newspaper? | Mrs. Johnson |
| What was the name of the neighborhood that the Youngers were moving to? | Clybourne Park |
Who are the characters in A Raisin in the Sun?
A Raisin in the SunCharacters
Who played the mother in A Raisin in the Sun?
Claudia McNeil
Walter Lee (Sidney Poitier) wants to make a business investment, while his mother, Lena (Claudia McNeil), is intent on buying a house for them all to live in — two differing views of the American Dream.
Is A Raisin in the Sun based on a true story?
The events of the play, which portrays an African-American family’s effort to improve their lives by buying a home in a racially restricted neighborhood, are based on true events to a degree not fully appreciated by many theatergoers (or at least this one).
What does Mama’s plant symbolize?
The most overt symbol in the play, Mama’s plant represents both Mama’s care and her dream for her family. In her first appearance onstage, she moves directly toward the plant to take care of it.
Does A Raisin in the Sun have a movie?
A Raisin in the Sun is a 1961 American drama film directed by Daniel Petrie and starring Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Claudia McNeil, Diana Sands, Roy Glenn, and Louis Gossett Jr. (in his film debut), and adapted from the 1959 play of the same name by Lorraine Hansberry.
What is the moral lesson of A Raisin in the Sun?
The Value and Purpose of Dreams
A Raisin in the Sun is essentially about dreams, as the main characters struggle to deal with the oppressive circumstances that rule their lives.
What are the most important scenes in A Raisin in the Sun?
In the play’s climactic moment, Walter must decide between standing up for his family’s rights and standing up for his ego and role as the breadwinner of the family. Fortunately for the Youngers, and for Broadway history, Walter sides with his family’s rights and declines Karl’s offer.
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