Understanding the Playwright
Writers do not write in a vacuum, much of their creativity has its roots in personal experiences. Lorraine Hansberry is no exception. The daughter of Carl and Nannie Hansberry, Lorraine grew up in a successful black family where both of her parents were political activists campaigning against Jim Crow laws.
Read the excerpts "To Be Young Gifted and Black", complete the Written Document Analysis Worksheet and respond to the following questions:
Discuss responses and add any other details that you deem important based on your reading ofTo Be Young Gifted and Black.
Writers do not write in a vacuum, much of their creativity has its roots in personal experiences. Lorraine Hansberry is no exception. The daughter of Carl and Nannie Hansberry, Lorraine grew up in a successful black family where both of her parents were political activists campaigning against Jim Crow laws.
Read the excerpts "To Be Young Gifted and Black", complete the Written Document Analysis Worksheet and respond to the following questions:
- What was Lorraine's life like growing up?
- Based on the excerpt, what was important to Hansberry. If she were alive today, what causes might she support and what causes might she oppose?
- According to Hansberry, what is the value of the play A Raisin in the Sun?
Discuss responses and add any other details that you deem important based on your reading ofTo Be Young Gifted and Black.