A Raisin in the Sun -- Anticipation Guide

We are going to the read the play A Raisin in the Sun. The following statements will give you some
insight into many of the themes present in the play. Read each statement and rate your response on a
scale of 1 to 5, using the following scale. Then provide 2 sentences of reasoning to explain or support
your response:

1 – Strongly agree

2 – Agree

3 – Do not agree or disagree

4 – Disagree

5 – Strongly disagree

__2___1. You should hold onto your dreams; if you work hard enough for them, they will come true.

Reasoning: I agree because I think this is very true and it is important to work hard for what you want.
Also, what you put into something is always what you get out of it.

__3___2. Once children are grown, their parents are no longer responsible to provide them with money

and housing.

Reasoning: I don't really have a set opinion on this at all. I feel like it all depends on many different
circumstances.

__2___3. We should think of the United States as a “melting pot” in which people from many cultures

leave their differences behind and only follow “American” customs and traditions.
Reasoning: I agree because it has always been thought of like that just because of how many people
came to the US. Also, most people brought their own customs and traditions which is so important
because of how much it changed things and people.

__4___4. Neighbors have the right to decide what kind of community they want to have—including who

lives in that neighborhood.

Reasoning: I disagree because you cannot control who lives in your neighborhood. You can always set
an example of what you would like for others, but that does not mean others will adapt to it.

__2___5. A parent and child often disagree about the way the child should live his/her life.

Reasoning: I agree with this because you are not always going to agree with each other. Parents
should set rules for the child and they should come to compromises.

__2___6. Most people don’t try hard enough to see the other fellow’s problem.

Reasoning: I agree because most people are just worried about their own problems. This makes them
think that they are the only thing that matters and they do not give themselves time to help others.

___3__7. When someone insults you, it is best to “turn the other cheek.”
Reasoning: I do not have an opinion on this statement. This is because it doesn’t make much sense to
me.

___5__8. It is the man’s responsibility to provide monetarily for the family.

Reasoning: I strongly disagree because of how stereotypical this is. Both men and or women are
somewhat able to provide for themselves or their families, no matter what. It should never be
anyones “job”.

___4__9. If a man is unable to provide monetarily for his family, he is less of a man.

Reasoning: I disagree because there could be circumstances that make him not able to provide. You
never know what type of things people go through or have gone through in the past.

___5__10. In a family, it is the woman’s responsibility to care for the children and keep the home in
order

(cook, clean, etc.).

Reasoning: I strongly disagree with this because again, it is so stereotypical. Like I said before,
Both men and or women can do this for the family.
___5__11. Females should never aspire to be in high power, high stress careers (medicine, law, etc.).

Reasoning: Again, I strongly disagree with this. Men and Women both have the ability to work hard
and get what they want if they put their mind to it.

__2___12. Society dictates gender roles (examples: “women’s work,” male head of household, etc.) and

there’s nothing we can do to change them.

Reasoning: I agree with this. These roles have been used so much that they are assumed at this point.
This does not mean that everyone totally agrees with them, there just is not many ways to get rid of
them.

___3__13. In order for society to function, there has to be a “food chain”: someone has to be on the
top,

some people have to be in the middle and some people have to be at the bottom.

Reasoning: I don't really have an opinion on this. It would have to depend on the circumstances.

___4__14. If you are going to be successful, you are going to have to take some big risks.

Reasoning: I agree with this because you have to stay determined during the hard and easy times.
Risks are good and they should make you even more motivated.
___4__15. Family morals and values are more important than anything else in life, even if sometimes we

perceive them as burdensome.

Reasoning: I agree with this because your roots are everything because it is what made you who you
are. If they are important to you, you should always stay true to them and yourself, what you have
been taught throughout life.