Northern Caribbean University

College of Education and Leadership

Department of Teacher Education

Reading guide for:

A Raisin in the Sun

By Lorraine Hansberry

Name: Nerian D. Smith

I.D Number: 20162419

Course: Literacy Intervention Strategy LRDG305

Lecturer: Mrs Jessica Myers

Date: October 25, 2018

 Table of Content

Title Page(s)

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………3

Overview……………………………………………………………………………………4

Rationale….............................................................................................................................5

Theme……………………………………………………………………………………… 6

Grade Level Recommendation………………………………………………………………7

Related reading material…………………………………………………………………….8

Interdisciplinary Connection………………………………………………………………..9

Act 1 Scene 1………………………………………………………………………………..10-11

Act 1 Scene 11…………………………………………………………………………………13

Act 11 Scene 1………………………………………………………………………………...14

Act 11 Scene 11………………………………………………………………………………15

Act 11 Scene 111……………………………………………………………………………..16

Act 111…………………………………………………………………………………...........17

Act 1 Scene 1 Questions/Activity …………………………………………………………..18

Act 1 Scene 11 Questions/Activity…………………………………………………………..19

Act 11 Scene 1 Questions/Activity…………………………………………………………...20

Act 11 Scene 11Questions/Activity…………………………………………………………..21

Act 11 Scene 111 Questions/Activity…………………………………………………………22

Act 111 Questions/Activity…………………………………………………………………….23

References…………………………………………………………………………………….. 24
 Introduction

A reading guide is a material that is use to assist students with with reading, interpreting and

understanding difficult reading materials. By accomplish these factors; they are better able to

navigate their reading materials. Reading guides are important because they help students to

comprehend what they read and to understand the organizational structure of the book. This

helps them to distinguish the main point and acquire the moral of the story. The students will

respond to the teachers story guide as they read their assigned text.

The teacher will determine the important concept from the assigned text and considers the

student’s knowledge of the book. The teacher then writes the items to guide the readers through

the major ideas and supporting details of the text. A study guide can be in the form of statements

or as questions. The teacher uses the guide by introducing the assigned text and discussing the

main points with the student. They will then present the reading guide and monitor students

during the process. Once the students have mastered the reading guide, they can create their own

guide and assist their fellow peers. This allows the student to develop a purpose for reading.
 Overview

The book entitled “A raisin in the sun” speaks about the Youngers, a poor African –American

family, who resides on the south side of Chicago. Mr Youngster died leaving his wife (Lena

Younger), his twenty-year-old daughter (Beneatha Younger) who is a medical student and his

thirty five year old son (Walter Younger). After his death, Lena Younger received a life insurance

cheque of ten thousand dollars (10,000). All the family members had plans for the money. Lena

wanted to purchase a house, Beneatha wanted to continue medical school and Walter wanted to

invest the money in opening a liquor store. The youngster’s home was in a deplorable condition

because they experience rat infestation, worn out furniture, limited space, and limited sunlight

and air ventilation. The little cottage was occupied by Lena Younger (mother), Walter Younger

(Lena’s son), Beneatha Younger (Lena’s daughter), Ruth Younger (Walter’s wife), and Travis

Younger (Walter and Ruth’s son).Ruth realize that she is two months pregnant and is thinking

about aborting the child because of the horrible living conditions. The money created a

disagreement between Lena and Walter but Lena paid thirty five thousand (35000) on the house

in Clybourne Park. She made the decision to leave her son with the remaining portion of the

money and instructed him to bank three thousand dollars for Beneatha’s, medical school and use

to rest for himself. Walter invested all the money for himself into the liquor store but one of his

friends, Will Harris, took the money and went away. This allows segregation within the family.

The Younger family experience racial prejudice but they ignored it and moved into their new

home. This shows that despite the challenges that one might face in life, they can overcome it.

The Rationale
 The book entitled “A raisin in the sun” speaks about issue that individuals experience on

a daily basis. This is the reason why I would recommend anyone to read this book. The

Youngers family struggled throughout their life but despite this, they all had dreams that they

wanted to accomplish. Despite the challenges, the Younger’s family sees the need to elevate

themselves and desires to improve their living conditions and situations. The circumstances

leading to the family receiving the money was sad. It allows them to realize that they can all

achieve their dreams. This book speaks about strength, determination, endurance, dignity, and

patience. These are all attribute that we can practice in our daily lives. This book teaches that we

should never give up but should remain focus, work hard and keep God in the midst of

everything.
 Theme

A theme is a subject that a person speaks, thinks, and writes about for a novel, short story,
or poetry. This contains the central message in a piece of writing that one can associate with their
everyday life.

Possible themes

Fighting racial discrimination- The Younger family faces racism that they are unable to

avoid. Lena paid down on a house that is located in Clybourne Park that is an all white

community. It was an all white community and the residents did not want them to live there. Mrs

Johnson, the neighbor, left a newspaper in the Youngers’ home that speaks about a black family

that was bomb while living in a white community. The white population treated the blacks as

outcast. It also showed that they were susceptible to violence and inhumane treatment. Mr

Linder, who is the governing body of the Clybourne park improvement association, attempted to

bribe the family by persuading them not to move to Clybourne Park. The Younger family

responded with strength and determination.

Family- This novel shows that the unity of a family is very important. Lena tried to instill

the importance of family to her household. Despite the struggles and challenges that they

experience, she tried to keep the family together. Even when Walter decision allowed them to

loose the insurance money, they unite as a family to reject Karl Lidner’s proposal.
 Grade level recommendation

The book entitled “A raisin in the sun” is suitable for students who are in grade nine

through to eleven. Students at this period in their life have to read a wide variety of materials for

academic purposes. They have to engage in independent reading and utilize critical thinking in

order to analyze content materials. In addition, students can relate to some of the challenges that

the Younger’s family experience such as decision-making and even racism. At this stage,

students contemplate on their lives and have to be able to make good decisions. They are able to

associate with what the characters in the novel experience since many might have already have a

background experience of the challenges depicted in the novel.

 Related Reading/materials

Other related book that I would suggest to readers is “Roll of thunder hear my cry” by

Mildred Taylor. This story speaks about the challenges that black families encountered such

racism, lynching, and discrimination during the great depression in America. This book

highlights the Logan’s family that fought to stick together despite the challenges that they face.

Gifted Hands by Ben Carson is another novel that is suitable for students who are in

grade nine through to eleven. This book speaks about a black boy who grew up in poverty and

experience racism and criticism from both his peers and teachers. He excelled amidst the odds

and became a successful neurosurgery. These books are related to “Roll of thunder hear my cry”

because they both speak about racism and the challenges that these family faces, and how they

endured through them.

 Interdisciplinary Connections

This story links to historical events that occurred in the history of the United States of

America. In the early 1900, Black individuals reside in a black community along Chicago South

Side. During that era, racial prejudice was extremely prevalent, and a separation occurs between

blacks and whites. They encountered various challenges such as threats violence and

discrimination. Just as how the Younger family faces racism, the mix race in the 1930s

experienced the same treatment. The blacks lived separately from the whites and many black

families experience threats.

This story is in relation to religion, as Lena (mama) was a spiritual woman who believed

in God. This story depicts how God assisted this family to endure through their trials. This

includes their time of bereavement. The Youngers family was one who struggled financially and

had to endure an uncomfortable home environment. The death of Mr Younger seems to have

been a blessing in disguise as the family received insurance money that assisted them in

improving their living conditions.

This story consists of accounts; because the younger family made an investment in a life

insurance policy, it allows them to receive the ten thousand dollars insurance after the death of

Mr Walter Younger.
 Act 1 scene 1 (Friday morning)

The Younger’s family resides in the South Side of Chicago in home that they share with

others. The house consists of broken fixtures and the one window that is located in the kitchen

results in poor ventilation. The house was always clean. The morning progresses with Ruth

(Walter’s wife) waking up and doing her daily chores, she then proceeds to wake her son from

the broken couch in the living room where he sleeps. The boy was reluctant and she had to

remind him continuously he should use the bathroom before someone else used it and that he had

to go to school. After she wakes her husband, Walter, he speaks continuously about the life

insurance money to be collected. She was upset but he seeks about his plans for the money.

After inquiring about her problem, she tells him that she is sleepy. Walter sees her behavior as

weird and decides to smoke a cigarette despite his wife objection.

Travis felt excited because he was aware of the insurance money, his mother told him that

he should not be concern about money and should desist from asking his grandmother for money.

He asked for fifty cents but received one dollar from his father. Walter received a call from Willy

Harris, his friend whom his wife hated. He plans to collaborate with Willy and Bobo to open a

liquor store.

Beneatha came on the scene and she and Walter starts their conversation about money; he

believes that she is pursuing the wrong profession because it is too costly to become a doctor.

After Walter leaves for work, Lena enters and Ruth speaks with her about Walter’s aspiration to

open a liquor store. Lena told Ruth that she looks tired and should stay home but Ruth insisted

that she needed to attend work because the family needs the money. Ruth suggested to Lena that

she should take a trip but Lena told her that she has other plans for the money. She mentions that

some of the money will go towards Beneatha’s medical school and the payment of their new
home. Lena reminisces about her husband and the dream they had of purchasing a home. The

women discuss Beneatha’s love life and the conversation led to Beneatha denouncing God. Lena

firmly stated that there is a God in her house. After the conversation ended, Lena left to attend to

her garden and upon her return, she found Ruth unconscious on the floor.
 Act 1 scene 2(The following morning)

Ruth went to the doctor the following morning and Beneatha and Lena told Travis that

she went on an errand. Beneatha received a call from Joseph, her Nigerian schoolmate and

invited him over even though she knew her mother did not like to have guest when the house is

untidy. After returning home Ruth told Lena and Beneatha that she is two months pregnant. They

ask her a series of questions regarding the child’s well being. Beneatha introduced Joseph to

Lena. Joseph gives Beneatha Nigerian clothes and music as a gift .The mail came afterwards and

mama was extremely anxious; she begun to question Ruth about the doctor and found out that

Ruth is planning to get an abortion. Walter arrived home feeling anxious to see if the cheque has

arrived. Ruth tried to tell him about the pregnancy but he was engaged in his idea of a liquor

store that he did not give her any attention. Lena tried to spoke with him about the families plan

and his wife who was thinking about abortion. Walter refuses to believe that Ruth would commit

abortion but she returned and told them that she had made some payment in order to proceed

with the abortion. Walter was only preoccupied with his idea and was upset that no one was

supporting him. He left the house feeling upset and went to the bar to drink.
 Act 2 scene 1(later the same day)

Beneath came in the room fully attired in the robe that Asagai gave her. She began

dancing and singing and Walter came home completely drunk and joined her by dancing. George

came by the house to take Beneatha on a date and was displeased with her appearance and she

went to change. George listen with little interest as Walter spoke with him and made fun of his

shoes. After they left Walter and Ruth began to argue about how he spend money and whom he

interact. They made up afterwards and acknowledge the distance that has grown between them.

Lena entered the room and announced that she had paid down on a house. Ruth was very

happy and excited because she dreamed of living in a better house. They became worried when

they realized that the house was located in Clybourne Park, an all white community. Lena

expresses the reasonability of the house and her intention to keep the family together. Walter was

upset because he wanted to invest all the money in the liquor store. His anger deepened when he

heard the community in which the house was located. He congratulated Lena for crushing her

child’s dream and this allows her to become worried and sad.
 Act 2 scene 2 (Friday night, a few weeks later)

Beneatha and George came from a date and he tried to kiss her but she was not interested.

He left shortly afterwards. Lena inquired about the date and agreed with her daughter who made

the decision to forget about George. Mrs Johnson the next-door neighbor came to visit after she

heard that they were moving. She congratulated Ruth on her pregnancy, and told the family

about a black family who was bombed in a white community. She left shortly afterwards. Ruth

received a call from Mrs Arnold, Walter employer, who inquired about his three days absence

from work. They were shocked to hear such news because they saw Walter leave for work each

morning. Walter admitted that he had been driving around and visiting local bars. Lena felt bad

about the situation. She apologized to Walter and gave him six thousand five hundred dollars.

She told him to pay three thousand for Beneatha’s medical school and take the rest for himself.

Walter felt happy and excited again; he promised to behave as the head of the household

and make responsible decision. He spoke with his son Travis about his plans and told him that

they will become rich in the future. Walter’s excitement escalated as he spoke about his dream

house car and a potential tertiary education for Travis.

 Act 2 scene 3(moving day 1 week later)

Ruth showed Beneatha the things that she bought for the new house and Walter joins

them as he danced with his wife. They were all celebrating their new house when Karl Lidner, a

representative from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, came to visit. He tried to

dissuade them from taking the house and offer them more money that what they would pay for

the house in order to prevent them from moving. Mr Lidner explains that the residents of

Clybourne do not want to feel threatened by anyone. He gave the impression that they were

uncomfortable to be sharing their community with a black family .The family became extremely

upset but was able to contain their anger. Walter told him that they would not accept his offer and

ask him to leave.

After Lena returned home, they told her about the encountered she became worried but

accepted the decision made by Walter as the right thing to do. The family retained their joy and

finished packing all of their belongings. The ringing of the doorbell interrupted them. Walter

opened the door and saw Bobo who told him that Willy disappeared with all of the liquor store

money. Overhearing the conversation, the entire family was shocked, especially Lena. Walter

confessed that he did not create the checking account. Lena was upset and started to beat him in

the head until until he started feeling guilty. She felt weak and started to pray for God to give her

strength.
 Act III (An hour later)

The event that had taken place allowed the family to feel heartbroken because Walter

disappointed the family again. Walter sits by himself to think. Asagai arrived in the midst of the

situation to help Beneatha pack and found her questioning her decision to become a doctor. She

had become He told Beneatha about his intention of returning to Africa to bring about a positive

change. Beneatha started to feel excited about reformation and Asagai invited her to accompany

him to Africa. He left her to think about his offer.

Walter went outside and Beneatha expressed her disapproval for her brother. Lena announced

that they were not going to move and Ruth objected while Walter called Karl Lidner to accept his

offer of money in exchange to not moving to Clybourne Park. The family disagreed with his

idea; Beneatha disowned him as a brother and Lena commented that people need compassion the

most when they seem to deserve it the least. Karl Lidner and the movers arrived and after much

thought, Walter rejected Karl’s offer. He pleaded with Lena to rethink but she agreed with her

son’s decision. The movers moved the family’s furniture. Mama stared at the empty apartment

for a moment before leaving with her plants.

 Act 1 Scene 1 (Friday Morning)

Questions

1. Why Ruth did hated Willy Harris?

2. What was on Walter’s mind when he woke up that morning?
3. What were the plans that Lena had for the insurance money?
4. Why was Ruth rushing Travis to go to the bathroom?
5. What career path did Beneatha wish to pursue?

Activities

1. Write a song or poem about the Younger’s living condition.

2. Draw a picture of the home that the Younger’s family resides.
3. List five words that you would use to describe Lena.
 Act 1 scene 2

Questions

1. What news did Ruth tell Beneatha and Lena after she arrives home?
2. What did Lena says to Walter when he tells her his plans of opening a liquor store?
3. What was Walter’s response to Lena when she told him that Ruth was thinking of

abortion?
4. What type of gifts did Joseph bring Beneatha?
5. Why do you think Walter was angry when he found out the location of the house that

Lena intends to buy?

Activities

1. Compile a list of adjectives that you would use o describe Beneatha’s relationship

towards her brother.

2. Write a paragraph describing Joseph’s character

Act 2 scene 1
 1. What was Lena’s response to her family for choosing to purchase a house in

Clybourne Park?
2. Why was Ruth excited about moving to a new house?
3. What is Walter’s attitude towards George?
4. How did George insult Walter
5. What was George attitude towards Beneatha’s attire?

Activity

1. Draw a picture of what you think the Clybourne neighbourhood look like
2. Write a paragraph to describe George character.
3.
 Act 2 scene 2

1. Why was Walter absent from work?

2. How did Beneatha respond to George attempt to kiss her?
3. Why did Mrs. Johnson visit the Younger’s house?
4. What instructions did Lena give Walter in regards to the money?
5. What did Travis wanted to become when he got older

Activities

1. Draw an image of Walter’s dream car

2. Do you believe that Lena should have trusted Walter with the money? Give reasons for

your response.
3. Find a partner and prepare to debate whether or not Walter acted responsible with the

money.

Act 2 scene 3

Questions
1. What organization did Karl Lidner represents?
2. What type of gift did the family surprise Lena with after Mr Lidner left the house?
3. How did Walter react to Karl Lidner’s offer?
4. How did Lena react when she overheard Bobo’s conversation with Walter?
5. How do the residents of Clybourne feel about the Younger’s family moving into their

neighbourhood?

Activities

1. In groups of six, act out the scene when Karl Lidner arrived at the house.
2. Outline the possible themes that you recognize from this scene in the novel
3. List five adjectives that you can use to describe Karl Lidner.
 Act 3

1. What proposal did Joseph Asagai made to Beneatha?

2. Why did the family decided to move into their new home?
3. Why was Beneatha questioning her decision to become a doctor?
4. What was Ruth reaction when Lena announces that they were not going to move
5. How did Karl Lidner react when Walter changed his mind about accepting his offer?

Activities

1. Rename the novel and give reasons for your answers?

2. Write a song describing the emotion that Walter was experiencing when he decides to

accept Mr Lidner’s offer.