1. A RAISIN IN THE SUN
An Introduction

2. What would you do with 40 bajillion dollars?
Two Questions…
What would you do with 40 bajillion dollars?
What would you do with 70 thousand dollars?

3. What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat Or crust and sugar over— Like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

4. The Younger Family Poor African American family
Lives on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950’s
Shares a small 1 bedroom apartment
1 bathroom for whole floor

5. Lena Younger (Mama) Kind old gentle woman
Husband (big Walter) recently died
$10,000 life insurance check on the way
Dreamt with her husband about owning a home one day

6. Walter Lee Younger Son of Lena and Big Walter
Chauffeur for a wealthy white man
Dreams of providing a better life for his family
Has big plans for $10,000 check

7. Ruth Younger Married to Walter Lee
Works as a housekeeper in the home a white family
Feeling tired and sick as play opens
Dreams of a better life for her family

8. Beneatha Younger Sister of Walter Lee and Daughter of Lena
College student, does not have a job
Interested in learning about her African heritage
Dreams of being a doctor

9. Travis Younger
Son of Walter Lee and Ruth Younger
Sleeps on the couch

10. Willy and Bobo Friends of Walter Lee’s
Potential business partners for Walter
They want to invest in a liquor store together

11. George and Joseph Beneatha dates both men during play
George is rich, but shallow
Joseph is from Africa and a fellow student of Beneatha’s

12. What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat Or crust and sugar over— Like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

13. YOUR TASK
Write a well developed paragraph in which you discuss what point the poem makes about dreams that are not accomplished.
-Your response should be at least 6 sentences