Reading Guide: A Raisin in the Sun, Act I, & Historical Contexts.
PART 1 ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS BASED ON THE TEXT.
1. How is the language of the stage directions different from the language of the characters? Why is this difference significant?
2. This play has the most stage direction of any play we have read so far. A) Why do you think Hansberry made this choice? What does it accomplish? B) As a reader, do you prefer more or less stage direction? Why?
3. Choose two main characters from Act I. Analyze their characterization — how does Hansberry bring them to life, especially in the details?
4. What is the main conflict in Act I? Quote at least one specific place in Act I that demonstrates this.
5. What is the main theme in Act I? Quote at least one specific place in Act I that demonstrates this.
6. List three things you learned from the context reading (p 1545-1555) that helped you understand the play so far. For each thing, explain how/why it helped you.
Reading Guide: A Raisin in the Sun, Act II
PART 2: ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS BASED ON TEXT
1. Describe Walter Lee’s metamorphosis in Act II. How does he change and why?
2. What does Hansberry seem to be saying about assimilationism?
3. How does Hansberry make you care for Walter Lee despite his flaws?
4. Explain how the minor characters of Act II serve as symbols. What does each represent?
5. How do we see the theme of “dreams” evolve in Act II?