1. Monday, February 8th
Driving Miss Daisy is a play that begins in in Atlanta, Georgia. Its two main characters are an older Jewish woman and an African- American man. Based on this information alone, and based on what you know about the South during this time period in U.S. history, what are some plot points or themes that you think might arise in this play?

2. Today you will: Analyze historical context for the play
Make predictions about the play
Be assigned roles for the first part of the play

3. The Playwright- Alfred Uhry
Born 1936 in Atlanta, Georgia to a Jewish family
Drew from experiences in his own life for his plays
Distinguished as the only American playwright to have won a Pulitzer Prize, an Academy Award, and two Tony Awards.
Wrote a trilogy of plays about the Jewish experience in Atlanta, Georgia during this time period

4. The Play’s Success Opened off-Broadway in 1987
Won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988
Moved to the Big Screen in 1989
Won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1990

5. Setting and its impact on the play
Driving Miss Daisy provides an overview of the changing values in the South between 1948 and In the story, acts of segregation and integration are fueled by the racism and prejudice of this time period. Not only is it a story about the transformative power of friendship that transcends all the societal boundaries placed between two unlikely individuals, it’s also a story about civil and human rights of the elderly as well as religious, political, and ethnic groups.

6. Major Characters- Daisy Werthan
72 year old Jewish widow and former school teacher
Can be described as prim and proper and very critical of certain things
Likes to project the appearance of independence
Portrayed by Jessica Tandy in the film version, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for the role

7. Main Characters- Hoke Coleburn
60 year old uneducated, working class African-American
Can be described as patient and respectful
Tolerant to Daisy’s early prejudices
Portrayed by Morgan Freeman in the play and movie version

8. Boolie Werthan Daisy’s successful, 40 year old son
Hires Hoke to be his mother’s chauffeur
Married to Florine, whom his mother does not like
Very conscious of how he is perceived by others

9. Given this background information…
What are some predictions you can make about the play?
How will Daisy and Hoke interact?
Do you think you will like it?

10. “Driving Miss Daisy” part 1
Daisy (140) 3 people Miriam (1)-
Hoke (112) 3 people Miss Jensen (3)-
Boolie (68) 2 people- Produce man (3)-
Nonie (1) Miss McClatchey (4)-
Beulah (2) Idella (14)-
Florine (5) Oscar (10)

11. “Driving Miss Daisy” part 1
Daisy (140) 3 people Miriam (1)-
Hoke (112) 3 people Miss Jensen (3)-
Boolie (68) 2 people- Produce man (3)-
Nonie (1) Miss McClatchey (4)-
Beulah (2) Idella (14)-
Florine (5) Oscar (10)

12. “Driving Miss Daisy” part 1
Daisy (140) 3 people Miriam (1)-
Hoke (112) 3 people Miss Jensen (3)-
Boolie (68) 2 people- Produce man (3)-
Nonie (1) Miss McClatchey (4)-
Beulah (2) Idella (14)-
Florine (5) Oscar (10)

13. “Driving Miss Daisy” part 1
Daisy (140) 3 people Miriam (1)-
Hoke (112) 3 people Miss Jensen (3)-
Boolie (68) 2 people- Produce man (3)-
Nonie (1) Miss McClatchey (4)-
Beulah (2) Idella (14)-
Florine (5) Oscar (10)

14. “Driving Miss Daisy” part 1
Daisy (140) 3 people Miriam (1)-
Hoke (112) 3 people Miss Jensen (3)-
Boolie (68) 2 people- Produce man (3)-
Nonie (1) Miss McClatchey (4)-
Beulah (2) Idella (14)-
Florine (5) Oscar (10)

15. Tonight’s Homework
Begin bringing your Literature Textbooks to class everyday starting tomorrow. This will be checked at the beginning of class