Curriculum  /  ELA  /  7th Grade  /  Unit 3: Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun  /  Lesson 4

Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun

Lesson 4
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ELA

Unit 3

7th Grade

Lesson 4 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.

Readings and Materials

  • Play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  pp. 24 – 35 — end at "women with small minds"

  • Movie: A Raisin in the Sun  — (01:30—05:55)

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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.

Target Task

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Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does the filmmaker use techniques to bring to life the setting from Hansberry's stage directions? How is the connotation of Hansberry's words conveyed in the character's actions?

Sample Response

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Key Questions

  • What does the Younger home suggest about the family's financial situation? Cite evidence from the stage directions and the movie to support your answer. (A Raisin in the Sun & Film: A Raisin in the Sun, 1961)

  • What does Travis's conversation with his parents reveal about the family's financial situation? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. (A Raisin in the Sun)

  • What does Walter hope for his future? How has living in this apartment shaped what he hopes for? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. (A Raisin in the Sun)

Vocabulary

Literary Terms

act

a major division in a dramatic text forming the basic structure of a performance

scene

a division of an act in a dramatic work presenting continuous action in one place

dialogue

anything a character says aloud — often in conversation with another character

monologue

a long, uninterrupted speech by one character in a play

stage directions

an instruction in the text of a play, especially one indicating the movement, position, or tone of an actor, or the sound effects and lighting

set

the built physical environment that actors move through in the performance of a play

dialect

language specific to a region or social group, defined by differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation

Text-based

indifferent

adj.

(p. 26)

having no particular interest or sympathy, unconcerned

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.

  • Play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  pp. 35 – 46 — starting with "His sister BENEATHA enters." through p. 46 ending with MAMA "Yes, a fine man…"

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Describe Walter and Beneatha's relationship. Provide an example from the play.

  • How does Ruth respond to Walter and Beneatha's interactions?

  • What is coming in the mail tomorrow?

  • Who is Big Walter?

  • What did Mama and Big Walter dream about?

  • What does Mama think she might do with the money?

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Common Core Standards

  • RL.7.3 — Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
  • 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.7.5
RL.7.6
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' perspectives in A Raisin in the Sun and explain how the playwright develops differences in perspective.

Lesson 5
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