Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun

Lesson 16
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ELA

Unit 3

7th Grade

Lesson 16 of 26

Objective


Analyze how the playwright structures A Raisin in the Sun to develop the climax of the play.

Readings and Materials


  • Play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  pp. 124 – 130 — starting with "BENEATHA. That couldn't be the movers…."

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does Walter's tone change over the course of this scene, and how does Hansberry use structure in the play to convey Walter's tone? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • How does Hansberry's description of Bobo in the stage directions affect the mood of the scene? What specific words and phrases are significant in developing the mood?

  • What is Bobo's tone in this scene? How does Hansberry structure the dialogue to convey Bobo's tone?

  • What is Mama's tone on pages 129–130? How does Hansberry structure the dialogue to convey her tone?

  • How does Hansberry end Act II Scene Three? Why does she end it this way?

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


Literary Terms

climax

the turning point of a story when the tension and conflict become most intense, and often when a significant change occurs

Text-based

plaintive

adj.

(p. 130)

sad or mournful

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  pp. 131 – 140 — ending with "…and hold on to what you got…."

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Based on the stage directions, what is the mood of this scene?

  • Who comes to the Youngers' apartment? And what is his reason for being there?

  • How does Beneatha feel about her dream of becoming a doctor?

  • What does Asagai offer to Beneatha?

  • How does Ruth feel about the house now that the money is gone? Does Mama feel the same way? Why or why not?

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.7.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
  • RL.7.5 — Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.
  • RL.7.6 — Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
RL.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.a
W.7.10

Next

Identify characters' points of view in A Raisin in the Sun and explain how the playwright develops differences and changes in perspective.

Lesson 17
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