Drama Analysis

Description Essay #3 – Drama Analysis, Lorraine Hansberry’s Raisin in the Sun and Amiri Baraka’s The Dutchman Choose one of the following prompts: 1. Explore and explain the dreams of at least one character in a Raisin in the Sun and one other character from the literature we’ve read thus far, and how their dreams are deferred. • Richard Wright (other characters) o Long Black Song • Silas o Down by the Riverside • Mann • Raisin in the Sun o Walter – liquor store o Mama - plants o “A Dream Deferred/ Harlem” - Langston Hughes 2. How is the idea of assimilation addressed in Hansberry’s Raisin in the Sun? Does she consider it good/bad or just necessary? Compare to Baraka’s the Dutchman. • Raisin in the Sun o Beneartha -> Culture -> Asagai o Beneartha -> New Opportunity -> George • Baraka’s the Dutchman o http://faculty.atu.edu/cbrucker/Engl2013/texts/Dutchman.pdf o Being white 3. Discuss the role of minor characters in Hansberry’s Raisin in the Sun. How do they represent certain “types” as Lula mentioned in the Dutchman. How do they reveal and shape the larger characters? How do they ultimately lead our protagonists to come of age? • Minor role characters o Ruth o Travis 4. Explore the two types of stories that we’ve read thus far, coming of age: Their Eyes We’re Watching God, Raisin in the Sun to what appear to be anti-coming of age stories: The Dutchman, Long Black Song, Down by the Riverside. How do these two types of stories braid together to reveal the complex reality of black lives in America? • Female -> Hopeful • Male -> pessimistic 5. Discuss how either dialogue or symbolism is working in The Dutchman and Raisin in the Sun. How do they create tension, add subtext, reveal character, set tone, add layer and dimension? How do they enrich the story? • Raisin in the Sun o Pear Tree • Relate to bible as the Tree of Knowledge o Flood • Cleansing of evil • The Dutchman o Apple • Can also relate to bible as the Tree of Knowledge • The forbidden fruit • Lula as Eve • Clay as Adam