Curriculum  /  ELA  /  7th Grade  /  Unit 3: Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun  /  Lesson 18

Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun

Lesson 18
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ELA

Unit 3

7th Grade

Lesson 18 of 26

Objective

Compare and contrast the film version of A Raisin in the Sun with the original text and explain the impact of specific techniques used by the filmmakers to create mood and meaning.

Readings and Materials

  • Play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  pp. 140 – 151 — starting with "(WALTER enters front the outside)"

  • Movie: A Raisin in the Sun  — 01:51:23–02:07:40

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A Note for Teachers

  • Though A Raisin in the Sun (1961) is not rated, the film contains offensive language that may be distressing for students. The film also contains depictions of excessive alcohol consumption. For further guidance, review the Parents' Guide to A Raisin in the Sun from Common Sense Media as a part of intellectual preparation.
  • Page 144 of A Raisin in the Sun contains the N-word. Before starting the text, it is imperative that teachers prepare students for its use in the text. BIPOC students, in particular, can be harmed by seeing the word in the text without any warning. Teachers should understand the history of the word and unpack and facilitate discussions with students about the history and usage of the word. In your classroom communities, establish that the word should never be said aloud in class. If reading the text aloud, teachers should replace its use with "N-word." When citing the text in classroom materials or in writing, replace it with "N-word" or "n—" as seen in our lesson plans. Below are some resources to further prepare yourself and your students for its use in the text:

Target Task

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Discussion & Writing Prompt

How has Walter's perspective on what makes a "man" transformed in Act III? How do Hansberry and the filmmaker portray that change?

Sample Response

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Key Questions

Key Questions

  • How has Walter's perspective of the world changed since his money was stolen, and how does this motivate his decision to call Mr. Lindner? (A Raisin in the Sun)

  • How does the filmmaker use camera angles to show the difference in perspective between Walter and the rest of his family? (Film: A Raisin in the Sun, 1961)

  • What does taking Mr. Lindner's money represent to Mama? (A Raisin in the Sun)

  • How does the filmmaker use sound to contribute to the mood in Act III? (Film: A Raisin in the Sun, 1961)

  • How do Hansberry and the filmmaker create the mood in the last scene of the movie after Mr. Lindner leaves? (A Raisin in the Sun & Film: A Raisin in the Sun, 1961)

Exit Ticket

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Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

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Vocabulary

Text-based

falter

v.

(p. 144)

to start to lose strength of momentum; to speak in a hesitant or unsteady voice

Homework

Assign

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.

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How did Hansberry's personal experiences inspire A Raisin in the Sun?

  • How does Loerzel describe Hansberry? How does Hansberry's activism come through in her play?

  • What additional information did you learn about Hansberry?

  • Who is the girl who eventually gets on the train that Wilkerson references on pages 11–12?

  • What does the list of italicized questions represent?

  • How does Wilkerson structure her book?

Enhanced Lesson Plan

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Common Core Standards

  • RL.7.6 — Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.
  • RL.7.7 — Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in a film).

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
RL.7.4
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

Analyze how Hansberry and Wilkerson are inspired by personal experiences to write about and present information on the Great Migration.

Lesson 19
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