Pursuing Dreams: A Raisin in the Sun

Lesson 16
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ELA

Unit 3

7th Grade

Lesson 16 of 27

Objective


Explain the impact of specific word choice on mood and meaning in A Raisin in the Sun, and how word choice reveals a character’s perspective.

Readings and Materials


  • Play: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  pp. 110 – 124 — end at "(the bell rings)"

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What does Lindner’s line "you just can’t force people to change their hearts, son" suggest about his feelings about race and racial integration? Be sure to pull out specific words and phrases from this sentence to support your interpretation.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What is the mood in the Younger house on pages 110–113 (ending at "the bell sounds")? How do stage directions and dialogue help to develop this mood? Support your answer with at least three specific words and phrases from these pages, and explain how they develop the mood.

  • How is Beneatha’s tone different from Walter and Ruth’s when she is speaking to Mr. Lindner? Provide specific evidence from pages 114-117 to support your answer.

  • Mr. Lindner does not come out and explicitly say that the people in Clybourne Park do not want a Black family moving in. Instead, he says this indirectly. What words and phrases does he use in his monologue on the bottom of page 117 to the top of page 118 to get this point across, without having to come out and say it? 

Discussion Questions

  • Is Mr. Lindner aware that he is being racist toward the Younger family? Provide specific words and phrases from dialogue and stage directions to support your ideas.

Exit Ticket

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

Homework


  • Review today's reading.

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.7.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
  • 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.7.5
L.7.5.c
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
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 15

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Lesson 17

Lesson Map

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