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A Raisin in the Sun:

Act I Recap &

Act II, scene 1

7 & 8 February 2012

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7 & 8 February 2012

Learning Objectives:

* Students will understand key themes & concepts presented in Act I of A Raisin in the Sun by reviewing important quotes from the play.

* Students will learn to delve into a character's emotions and practice character analysis (building up to more activities) by acting out a piece of Act II, scene 1

Agenda:

* Recap Act I

* Prepare for acting Act II, scene 1

* Act out & view sections of scene 1

Homework:

* Grammar pretest?

* Bring SSR book to class on Thurs/Fri (no role due)

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A Raisin in the Sun Act I, scene 2

Beneatha: "Well, do me a favor and don't ask him a whole lot of ignorant questions about Africans. I mean, do they wear clothes and all that--"

Beneatha: "It is my business--where is he going to live, the roof?"

Asagai: "Assimilationism is so popular in your country."

Beneatha: "We've all got acute ghetto-itis."

Mama: "I spec if it wasn't for you all...I would just put that money away or give it to the church or something."

Walter: "I want so many things that they are driving me kind of crazy..."

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A Raisin in the Sun Act I, scene 2

Walter: "Sometimes it's like I can see the future stretched out in front of me--just plain as day. The future, Mama. Hanging over there at the edge of my days. Just waiting for me--a big, looming, blank space--full of nothing. Just waiting for me. Sometimes when I'm downtown and I pass them cool, quiet-looking restaurants where them white boys are sitting back talking 'bout things...sitting there turning deals worth millions of dollars...sometimes I see guys don't look much older than me."

Walter: "Because [money is] life, Mama!"

Mama: "I'm waiting to hear how you be your father's son. Be the man he was...I'm waiting to see you stand up and look like your daddy..."

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Characters & Dreams

Beneatha: a career (outside of her gender role), a unique identity, a connection to her heritage, a unique place in American culture.

Ruth: a normal, comfortable life for herself and her family.

Mama: a happy home to keep the family united together. All about family.

Travis: "I don't want to be the only one without 50 cents."

Walter: Investments, business, big wig of a company, stereotypical monopoly man, provider and leader of his family, traditional man of the house.

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Act II, scene 1 (begins on page 76)

Group 1: 70 (Walter Enters) - 75 (Curtain)

Group 2: 76 - 80

Group 3: 81 - 86 (Beneatha & George Exit)

Group 4: 86 - 90

Group 5: 91 - 95

* Prepare a performance of your scene

* Practice it twice! Once for content & once to nail down character actions & tone of voice.

* You will have 1:30 to tweak your performance after you see the scene before yours.