1. A Raisin in the Sun introduction

2. Directly addresses the issue of segregated housing in the US How do you see segregated housing today?

3. New York City, NY

4. Story City, IA

5. Des Moines, IA

6. “Redlining” In the 50’s it was legally enforceable for neighborhoods to only allow certain individuals into their area.

7. Philadelphia's zoning in 1936

8. Lorraine Hansberry Hansberry herself grew up on Chicago’s South Side; when she was young, her father moved the family to an all-white neighborhood as a form of protest against restrictive housing practices

9. Themes in the play Racism Power Gender Roles Values Education Dreams Sacrifice Choices Dissatisfaction Family Pride

10. “A Dream Deferred” 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?

11. Making Predictions 1.What does the poem say about dreams deferred? 2.Choose one of the images or similes in the poem and explain how it specifically helps to communicate the poem’s message. 3.Choose one of the motifs from our list for the play and discuss how it could potentially connect to the poem (don’t pick dreams) 4.Why do you think Lansberry would have chosen this poem to lead in to her play?