The Younger's Quest for the American Dream
Given what we have learned about Hansberry, Jim Crow, and the African American Experience between 1850 and 1954, why do you think Hansberry chose to use a play to illustrate African Americans' quest for the American Dream?
At this point the teacher might want to distribute “Dramatic Elements” (downloadable as a PDF) to the students.
Engage students in a dramatic reading of the play by assigning parts to each student. Be sure to rotate so that all students have a chance to read a part.
At the end of each Act, have students work in groups of four analyzing the play using the following focus questions and activities:
Characterization. Use the “Character Analysis” handout (downloadable as a PDF) to record important information about each member of the Younger family.
At this point the teacher might want to distribute “Dramatic Elements” (downloadable as a PDF) to the students.
Engage students in a dramatic reading of the play by assigning parts to each student. Be sure to rotate so that all students have a chance to read a part.
At the end of each Act, have students work in groups of four analyzing the play using the following focus questions and activities:
Characterization. Use the “Character Analysis” handout (downloadable as a PDF) to record important information about each member of the Younger family.
- How is the American Dream expressed in each member of the Younger family: Walter, Ruth, Lena (Mama), and Beneatha?
- Describe each member of the Younger family. What type of man was Mr. Younger? What type of man is Walter? What types of women are Lena, Ruth, and Beneatha? Which of these characters are static? Which of these characters are dynamic?
- How do the supporting characters, George Murchinson and Joseph Assaigai, add to our understanding of the Younger family members?
- Explain the existing conflicts between the Younger family members, Mama and Walter, Walter & Ruth, and Walter and Beneatha. How are these conflicts associated with the American Dream?
- What is the central conflict around which the play revolves? How does this central conflict relate to the notion of the American Dream?
- Joseph Assaigai, George Murchinson, Ruth's Pregnancy, Beneatha's hair, Mr. Lindner, the new house, the money from the insurance policy, and Lena's plant. In what sense are these people, events, and/or objects symbolic? How do they further our understanding of the play?
- Explain George's allusion to Walter as Prometheus. Have students go online to The Perseus Project and use the Perseus Encyclopedia to refresh their knowledge of Greek Mythology. According to Greek mythology, who is Prometheus? What does Walter have in common with Prometheus? How does this allusion help us to understand Walter's role in the family? How does this allusion help us to understand Walter's conflict with Mama and the rest of the family? How does this allusion help us understand Walter and the Younger family's quest for the American Dream?
- Analyze the following quotes: "We ain't no business people Ruth, we just plain working folks,"
- "Once upon a time freedom used to be life now money is life," What important issues do they raise? How do these issues help us to understand the American Dream? How do these quotes help us to understand the Younger’s quest for the American Dream?