Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun

Lesson 6
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ELA

Unit 3

7th Grade

Lesson 6 of 27

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  pp. 35 – 46 — [begin at "His sister BENEATHA enters."] [end after MAMA "Yes, a fine man—just couldn’t never catch up with his dreams, that’s all."]

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What is each character’s perspective on what should be done with the insurance money? How does the author develop each of their perspectives? Provide one piece of evidence that demonstrates each character’s (Beneatha, Walter, Ruth, and Mama) perspective.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What is Walter’s point of view of Beneatha’s education? How does the author develop his perspective? Support your answer with two pieces of evidence from pages 36-38 of the text.

  • What is Mama’s perspective of Walter’s idea to open a liquor store? How does Hansberry develop her perspective? Provide evidence from pages 41-42 to support your answer.

  • What are Walter, Beneatha, Mama, and Ruth’s dreams? List each of their dreams and support your answer with evidence from the text that demonstrates that this is their dream. 

Discussion Questions

  • What role does race play in the Younger family’s ability to pursue their dreams? Find examples in today’s reading to support your answer.

Exit Ticket

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

Vocabulary


Text-based

futile

adj.

(p. 45)

incapable of producing any result; pointless

Academic

point of view/perspective

n.

1. a character’s opinion or feelings about a specific topic/idea/event
2. the "lens" through which a person sees and understands the world. This is usually influenced by aspects of their identity, beliefs, and life experiences

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. 46 – 60 — begin at "BENEATHA comes in" and end at "The bell rings"

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Why do Ruth and Mama tease Beneatha about her different activities? How does she respond?

  • Who is George Murchison?

  • What does Beneatha tell Mama that makes Mama so angry? How does Mama respond?

  • Why does Ruth faint at the end of Scene I?

  • Who is coming over to the house? How does Beneatha feel about this?

  • What does Travis do in the street outside the apartment?

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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.

Supporting Standards

L.7.6
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
RL.7.4
RL.7.5
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
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Lesson 5

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Lesson 7

Lesson Map

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