A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun Final Project

In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry, the Younger family represents a struggle to pursue the “American Dream.” The idea of the American Dream is making a better life for oneself. Everyone is supposed to have the same opportunities to pursue their own “American Dream”; however, the Younger family discovers that the “American Dream” is not everything they thought it would be. Each of you was assigned a member of the Younger family, to which you were asked to keep track of their dreams and limitations. Using your character charts as well as evidence from the play, you will complete one of these three projects. Due Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Option 1: Character Essay

This essay should give a thorough and insightful analysis of your character using textual evidence (quotes/events in the play). This essay should be five paragraphs typed (12 point, Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins), written in an organized essay format (intro, conclusion, no first person, no contractions, etc.) and should answer the following questions:

1. Describe your character and their personality. What words jump into your head at the thought of your character and you do you see these attributes revealed in the style or content of their speech? 2. What is your character’s role in the family? Don’t consider only their label (brother, sister, etc.) but how they work within the family; for example, are they a dreamer or a crusher of dreams? Do they work for personal benefit or for the good of the whole family? 3. What are your characters dreams and what limits your character from achieving those dreams? Try to go beyond the obvious (to open a liquor store, to be a doctor, etc.) and think about what these immediate and tangible dreams represent (you will only want to focus on one or two main dreams).

Option 2: Character Facebook Profile

Create a Facebook profile for your assigned character. You will take on the personality of your character and create a profile for them (you do not have to create an actual Facebook profile…a word document or poster board with the Facebook template will do just fine) You will need to use information from the play to decide what they would post or write.

You need to include the following on your character’s Facebook profile:

 A profile picture as well as 4 other pictures displayed on the profile (can be drawn or printed)  A total of three status updates (with appropriate comments and likes) that tell about events that happened to your character in the novel  An “info” section, complete with favorite music, favorite TV shows/movies, favorite books, favorite quotes, a “personality traits” section with at least 5 traits, a likes/dislikes section with at least 3 things in each category, and an “About Me” section highlighting their dreams/goals, why they might want these things, what limits them from living these dreams  Profile must show personality traits, conflicts the character encounters, dreams/motivation/limitations, and the growth and development of the character. These things can be shown through the “Info/favorites” section, wall posts from other characters, status updates, mobile uploads, pictures with captions, etc.  Any other category that is on Facebook that you can make relatable to the character (use your creativity)

Remember, the characters do not live in today’s world, so they would not use the same terms/slang you might use on a daily basis. Really embody the character when you are making your page.

You will end up with 2 pages: one page showing their wall and one showing their information. Feel free to use different colors and make the Facebook page personal to the character, but follow a similar template to Facebook.

Option 3: Character Collage

You will represent your character’s personality, dreams, struggles/limitations, mannerisms, attitudes, etc. through visual means. Your collage will include both images and quotes from the play in which the character expresses his or her deepest wishes. Your collage will be accompanied by a one-paged essay explaining your character’s dreams and limitations. Your essay should include textual evidence to support your argument. Your collage should consist of images and quotes expressing your character’s dreams. Be sure your collage shows a great deal of thought, creativity, and effort/polish. Are there other forms of a collage you might use? Other elements besides magazine pictures? A shape for the whole collage that would be symbolic? A way to represent a character’s change over time?