A Raisin in the Sun 

 Project Choices

 

Individual Choices:

 

1.         Ancient African Art and Technology

 

·         Several ancient African tribes/peoples and countries are mentioned in the play because of their great impact on the world of art, technology, and war. 

 

·         Research how each of the following were prolific in art AND technology. Who were their leaders?  What were they known for? 

 

·         Produce/create an original replica of one of the tribe’s or countries’ works of art or technology. 

 

·         Include an MLA formatted Works Cited page for all information “borrowed.”

 

 

                  Bantu  -- Ghana -- Zulu -- Ashanti (e) -- Nigeria -- Mali -- Ethopia -- Songhai (y) --Benin          

 

 

2.         Harlem and an Original Poem

Because the epitaph by Langston Hughes begins the play, its theme rings a chord throughout. 

 

·         Write an original poem with one of the themes from the play. Provide instrumental music in the background, along with a backdrop/costume and prop to accompany your skit. 

 

·         You must dramatically read the poem and interact with the prop/backdrop/costume. 

 

·         Your poem must be typed and double-spaced, at least 10 lines long, have an original title, and use ALL of the following literary devices:

 

ü      Rhyme or Rhythm

 

ü      Onomatopoeia or Alliteration

 

ü      Imagery using all 5 senses

 

ü      Metaphor or Hyperbole

 

ü      Personification or Simile

 

 

 

3.        Financial Planning for the Younger Family  

The Youngers argue throughout the play about the $10,000 that they have inherited. What if you had a degree in business or economics and could advise them how to spend and invest that money so that all the members of the faily would prosper from it? Now you have that chance. 

 

·         Research how much things cost in the fifties (homes, cars, food, college), what people did for a living (especially women and African Americans), and what types of investments were available. 

·         Devise a financial plan for the Youngers that includes what they all want and need: a home, a car, college, investmemnts for the future (baby and Mama).

·         Create a spreadsheet on Excel to present to the class.

·         Research in your report, include an explanation of your plan; show future earnings and money that will be acquired.

·         Type a MLA formatted Works Cited page for any books or websites that assisted you in your financial planning.

  

 

 

 

4.         Booker T Washington, Marcus Garvey, and W E B Dubois Venn Diagram

These three African-American leaders were prominent before and during the Civil Rights Movement. However, they had very different views about the place for Blacks in America. 

Construct a Venn Diagram (3 circles) summing up their different views, which ones they held in common and the main one that they held in common. You must include on your poster:

 

·         A picture of each leader, their names, and the dates of birth and death 

 

·         At least 3 differences (outer circles), 2 similarities as the other 2, and one main similarity (in the middle ) on their views of the roles of Blacks in America

 

·         Advice for the Younger family:

 In a report of at least one paragraph for each leader, discuss and explain: What would each of these men advise the Youngers to do upon moving into an all white neighborhood? You must base this advice upon these men's beliefs, not yours.

·         Include a MLA formatted Works Cited page for all information “borrowed.”

 

 

 

5.         Housing Discrimination Then and Now

Obviously the Youngers were discriminated against when Mr. Linder came to see them and actually offered them money NOT to move into their new home, just because of their skin color. This was illegal back then, but it was accepted because there were not many laws or agencies to help. Nowadays, there are many agencies and laws to help those who have been discrimated against. It still goes on, but not just with race anymore.

·         Research the different ways in which a person can be discriminated in housing (own or rent), the laws and agencies that are supposed to prevent discrimination in housing, and make a poster or PowerPoint to sum up your findings. It would be wise to include some charts and graphs, as well as example cases and copies of anything that a person needing to file a claim would have to fill out. 

·         In a report, include whether the Youngers would have a case based on what happened to them and all of your findings on housing discrimination, then and now.

·         Type a MLA formatted Works Cited page for any "borrowed" information.

 

   

6.         Raisin, the Musical

In the 1970s, there was an award-winning Broadway musical called Raisin, based on the play A Raisin in the Sun. 

 

·         Get a copy of the musical's songs, and in a report, analyze 5 of them, like you would a poem, explaining all of the allusions and symbolism, as well as the character(s) involved and the contexts within the play.. 

 

·         In your presentation, play the songs, and sum up your analysis.

 

·         Type a MLA formatted Works Cited page for any "borrowed" information, including your songs.

 

 

7.         Civil Rights Movement and Back to Africa Movement

Marcus Garvey started the Back to Africa movement in repsonse to the treatment of African Americans in Amercia. 

 

·         Research his beliefs and the movement, and in a report sum up your findings and their impact on the African American community and the country as a whole. Do you agree or disagree with this movement? Explain fully.

·         In a presentation, develop a costume or a visual to explain the movement and its concepts, while summing up your findings.

·         Type a MLA formatted Works Cited page for any "borrowed" information.

 

OR

 

·         Research the important figures and their difference/similar beliefs of how African Americans could deal with race relations. Who was peasceful, and who wasn't? What worked, and what did not? How powerful was the movement? Report your findings in a report, and sum them up for the presentation.

·         Include in your report, who/what concepts do you agree with from the movement?

·         You must have a physical prop to include with your presentation that represents the movement: costume, poster, painting, etc.

·         Type a MLA formatted Works Cited page for any "borrowed" information.

 

 

 

 

Group Choice:

A Raisin in the Sun, Act IV or Part II or Deux

In Act III of A Raisin in the Sun, we see the Younger family packing up their things and getting ready to move to Clybourne Park. What if there was an Act IV? What would happen? Your assignment is to write two scenes of an imaginary Act IV or Part II of A Raisin in the Sun.

You will need to:

·         Decide what will happen next. What action will take place? In Act III of A Raisin in the Sun, you saw the Younger family packing. In Act IV will you see them unpacking? Or will they have already finished unpacking and in Act IV will we notice that everything is already set up? Will the scene be upbeat? Will something good happen? Or will something bad happen? In deciding this, you need to be aware of the plot up to this point. What clues from Act III show you that the ending will be either positive or negative? There could conceivably be scenes following the one you create. Still, a scene cannot end until an author’s thought has been completed.

·         Decide who will be there. Will the action involve the Younger family alone, or will new characters be introduced? Maybe the Youngers will interact with new neighbors. Did Beneatha go to Africa with Asagai? Or did she remain at home? Will Travis have a larger role in this scene than he did in the others?

·         Decide where the action will take place. In the first three acts, the audience saw only the Youngers' apartment. Will the action now remain in the new home? Or will actions take place outside of the home?

·         Write appropriate dialogue for the characters. You should show your understanding of who these characters are and what they would say and do. Keep in mind the themes of the play. 

·         Use the appropriate format. The names of the speakers should be listed on the left side of the page and be capitalized, stage direction should be italicized, etc. (Research on the Internet, proper screen-play format).

·         Your finished piece should be typed and you should include a title page with your new “title” (does not have to be “Act IV”).

·         Cast the parts, direct, and act out a couple scenes from “Act IV” and videotape them.  You should have appropriate costumes and scenery, but “blackface” is not appropriate.

·         You will receive individual grades for acting and a group grade for writing the screenplay, so dole out the work equally.  Your presentation grade will be based on your video.

·         Type a MLA formatted Works Cited page for any “borrowed” information, including the play and any websites.

Need help with your topic?  (restricted to SBISD)