A Raisin in the Sun Essay Guidelines

Prompt: Write an analytical essay examining how that theme is developed through the experiences of one of the primary characters in A Raisin in the Sun. Use specific and relevant evidence from both the text and the historical context to support your interpretation.

What theme is expressed through my character?

Want/Desire/Need Conflict/Challenge/Obstacle Big Idea/ What this could mean Example for Walter” Wants to show his son that he can support him – gives him $ for school/taxi/fruit Ruth is worried about money – doesn’t seem to trust Walter Men have lots of financial pressures It’s important to look like you have $$$

A good thesis . . .

A good thesis: It provides a simple and concise embedded question or clear idea in one sentence that will then be answered or addressed concisely with proof throughout the essay. It is arguable It forces the writer to think before writing the essay exactly what the essay will include and seek to prove. It allows the writing of topic sentences that fully respond to and explain the thesis.

Your thesis should be: A simple, yet meaningful, statement about the connection between a major character and one aspect of the America Experience/Dream as evidenced by the play. You must be able to have a good answer to the question about the thesis, "So What?"

Examples Bad: In Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha wants to be a doctor, but her brother wants her to be a nurse. (This is a fact easily found in the play and doesn’t clearly connect Beneatha with any of the big ideas) Good: In Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha is the perfect example of a character who struggles against racism and sexism as she attempts to fulfill her ambitions. (This is a well-written thesis statement because it connects Beneatha with idea of race and social justice, one of the parts of the American Experience/ American Dream.)

Examples Bad: In Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, Walter is obsessed with money.(This is broad, general, and overly obvious; it does not lead to a bigger idea or an answer of the “so what” question. Good: In Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun, Walter’s obsession with money often causes him to act unkindly to those he loves. (This gives you a chance to show numerous relationships while addressing the impact of money on morality, one of the aspects of the American Experience/ American Dream.)

By the end of the period you need to come up with your own thesis by completing the following handout: 1. First look at your character’s dreams and ambitions and then see how those dreams and ambitions lead to a larger idea or message (theme). 2. Then write 3 thesis statements to submit to me for my approval.

BR – 05.10.2017 1. Find your RITS – Thesis Worksheet It’s already graded It’s on the front desks You need to have at least one thesis with a checkmark to proceed today. If you do not have an approved thesis statement, then after our notes on outlining, you will need to seek me out for approval of a new thesis statement. 2. Use the back of your Thesis Worksheet to take notes 3. Understand that A Raisin in the Sun is the name of a play and needs to be capitalized just like this, and underlined when you are handwriting the title, and italicized when you type up the final paper.

Now that I have an approved thesis, what do I do?

Build an Outline How will you be able to support your thesis? Thesis: In Loraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, the youngest member of the family Travis is used to demonstrate that while everyone has dreams, there are many outside factors in our daily life that will determine which dreams will be realized, and which will be deferred.

1. What are 3-4 reasons you can use to develop your point? Thesis: In Loraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, the youngest member of the family Travis is used to demonstrate that while everyone has dreams, there are many outside factors in our daily life that will determine which dreams will be realized, and which will be deferred. The apartment itself = social constructs / systematic racism Sleeps on the couch, shares bathroom -These are factors outside of his control Black houses more expensive than white ones Needs money / lack of money = social construct / systematic racism willing to work / told he can’t - another factor outside of his control His family = social construct Walter is his role model – drunk, talks of dreams but never does anything Mama/Walter in charge? Passively learns lessons from actions of adults

2. Create topic sentences for each reason Thesis: In Loraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, the youngest member of the family Travis is used to demonstrate that while everyone has dreams, there are many outside factors in our daily life that will determine which dreams will be realized, and which will be deferred. The apartment itself = social constructs / systematic racism Sleeps on the couch, shares bathroom, roach infested -These are factors outside of his control Black houses more expensive than white ones Topic Sentence: There are some factors completely outside of Travis’ control that help to defer his dreams including the apartment he lives in, which highlights the systemic racism during this time period.

3. What do you need to say to back up each topic sentence? The apartment itself = social constructs / systematic racism Sleeps on the couch, shares bathroom, roach infested -These are factors outside of his control Black houses more expensive than white ones Topic Sentence: There are some factors completely outside of Travis’ control that help to defer his dreams including the apartment he lives in, which highlights the systemic racism during this time period. 1. To prove this point I need to demonstrate that the apartment is worn down. 2. To prove this point I need to demonstrate that the apartment is hindering his opportunities. 3. To prove this point I need to demonstrate that the apartment conditions are part of a larger social construct, or a result of the Great Migration.

4. What evidence from the text will help me prove my point? Topic Sentence: There are some factors completely outside of Travis’ control that help to defer his dreams including the apartment he lives in, which highlights the systemic racism during this time period. 1. To prove this point I need to demonstrate that the apartment is worn down. “weariness has, in fact won in this room” (Hansberry 3) “spraying insecticide into the cracks in the walls” (Hansberry 27) 2. To prove this point I need to demonstrate that the apartment is hindering his opportunities. “Travis is asleep on the make-down bed at center” (Hansberry 4) “Travis! You ain’t the only person in the world got to use a bathroom” (Hansberry 4) “It ain’t his fault that he can’t get to bed no earlier nights ‘cause he got a bunch of crazy good-for-nothing clowns sitting up running their mouths in what is supposed to be his bedroom after ten o’clock at night” (Hansberry 4) 3. To prove this point I need to demonstrate that the apartment conditions are part of a larger social construct, or a result of the Great Migration. “Four o six Clybourne Street, Clybourne Park” (Hansberry 57) “Nicest place for the least amount of money” (Hansberry 58) “them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. I did the best I could” (Hansberry 58)

5. Now that I have a better thought of what I’m going to say, I need a conclusion that rewords my thesis and answers, so what? Original Thesis: In Loraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, the youngest member of the family Travis is used to demonstrate that while everyone has dreams, there are many outside factors in our daily life that will determine which dreams will be realized, and which will be deferred. Reworded Thesis: Travis’ young, innocent, character helps to demonstrate that some dreams will be harder to reach for certain people solely because of outside factors that are beyond our control. So what?: The American Dream is supposed to be able to be achieved through hard work and determination, but because of social constructs of our American culture some people, like Travis, will be forced to work harder and be more driven to accomplish their dreams.

Your turn . . .

Outlines – Due 5/11 – 50 points On your own sheet of paper, create an outline that has all of the following elements and answers all the following: Thesis Topic sentences for at least 3 body paragraphs 1. What are 3-4 reasons you can use to develop your point? 2. Create topic sentences for each reason Textual evidence properly cited for each body paragraph 3. What do you need to say to back up each topic sentence? 4. What evidence from the text will help me prove my point? Reworded thesis statement in the conclusion Answer to “so what?” in the conclusion 5. Now that I have a better thought of what I’m going to say, I need a conclusion that rewords my thesis and answers, so what? Thesis: In Loraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, the youngest member of the family Travis is used to demonstrate that while everyone has dreams, there are many outside factors in our daily life that will determine which dreams will be realized, and which will be deferred. Topic Sentence: There are some factors completely outside of Travis’ control that help to defer his dreams including the apartment he lives in, which highlights the systemic racism during this time period. 1. To prove this point I need to demonstrate that the apartment is worn down. “weariness has, in fact won in this room” (Hansberry 3) “spraying insecticide into the cracks in the walls” (Hansberry 27) 2. To prove this point I need to demonstrate that the apartment is hindering his opportunities. “Travis is asleep on the make-down bed at center” (Hansberry 4) “Travis! You ain’t the only person in the world got to use a bathroom” (Hansberry 4) “It ain’t his fault that he can’t get to bed no earlier nights ‘cause he got a bunch of crazy good-for-nothing clowns sitting up running their mouths in what is supposed to be his bedroom after ten o’clock at night” (Hansberry 4) 3. To prove this point I need to demonstrate that the apartment conditions are part of a larger social construct, or a result of the Great Migration. “Four o six Clybourne Street, Clybourne Park” (Hansberry 57) “Nicest place for the least amount of money” (Hansberry 58) “them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. I did the best I could” (Hansberry 58) Reworded Thesis: Travis’ young, innocent, character helps to demonstrate that some dreams will be harder to reach for certain people solely because of outside factors that are beyond our control. So what?: The American Dream is supposed to be able to be achieved through hard work and determination, but because of social constructs of our American culture some people, like Travis, will be forced to work harder and be more driven to accomplish their dreams. Outlines – Due 5/11 – 50 points

Drafting

The Body Paragraphs

The body of your essay is composed of paragraphs that support the thesis statement.

Each body paragraph: Each body paragraph usually contains one major point in the discussion promised by the thesis. Each major point is presented in the topic sentence of a paragraph. Make sure that each topic sentence is focused. Each paragraph should be adequately developed with clear supporting detail. Every sentence in the paragraph should support the topic sentence. There should be an orderly logical flow from sentence to sentence and thought to thought. There should be a smooth flow from paragraph to paragraph. The body paragraphs should successfully persuade your reader that the opinion expressed in your thesis is valid.

Introductions Think of the introduction paragraph as an upside down triangle. General Lead In / Introduction 1-2 Sentences to clarify your point Thesis Statement Specific

Funnel Introduction Lead In: Introduce Subject/Topic In 1959 Lorraine Hansberry became the first African American female to have her play, A Raisin in the Sun, produced on Broadway. Her critically acclaimed played centers around one African American family trying to achieve their dreams in the south side of Chicago during the 1950s. The youngest member of the family Travis is used to demonstrate that while everyone has dreams, there are many outside factors in our daily life that will determine which dreams will be realized, and which will be deferred. 1-2 sentences to clarify or narrow the subject THESIS Funnel Introduction

Conclusions Think of the Conclusion as a triangle. Specific Restatement of Thesis Lead-out So What? General

Summary and opinion that leads to a broader scope Travis’ young, innocent, character helps to demonstrate that some dreams will be harder to reach for certain people solely because of outside factors that are beyond our control. Because Travis is a child, there are factors that are beyond his control that will get in the way of him achieving his own dreams. Even though he lives in America where everyone is supposed to be able to achieve their dream through hard work and determination, but because of social constructs of our American culture some people, like Travis, will be forced to work harder and be more driven to accomplish their dreams. THESIS Summary and opinion that leads to a broader scope Call for action, or answer to why this is important or valuable. What is the larger context of this essay? Funnel Conclusion