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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a powerful play, both to read and to teach. I really love using it in my classroom because it really highlights how systemic and backbreaking the American experience is, especially the Black American experience. This is not a book to necessarily see yourself in. White audiences and readers have mistaken the purpose of the text, have tried to use it as a mirror instead of the window. They have taken the message to be about dreams in general rather than dreams robbed by segregation, racism, and overall oppression.
This play always moves me to tears. I am happy to teach it to the next generation. The messages still (sadly) ring true.
This play always moves me to tears. I am happy to teach it to the next generation. The messages still (sadly) ring true.
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Accurate, poignant, raw, and well-paced dialogue. The play is structured in such a way as to bring out really dramatic performances from its stars (whoever they might be). And the tie-in to Langston Hugh’s poem “Harlem” gives it some extra layers through literary allusion. There’s understanding and pity to be had for this family and those like them - and especially for so many men like Walter Lee. But what is truly powerful is the fact that Walter Lee learns not to pity himself but to rise up and walk in love. By the end, he acts justly. He is shown mercy and grace. Walter Lee has been humbled - not just by the way life has whipped him, but by having to face his own personal weaknesses. And by admitting it and being exposed to himself while also being offered the unconditional love of his mother, he does NOT “dry up like a raisin in the sun.” This is no tragedy. Rather, it’s a beautiful story of hope and redemption and of continuing to work for the Good Life.
I also just love Mama’s speech at the end to Beneatha: “Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody? Well then, you ain’t through learning—because that ain’t the time at all. It’s when he’s at his lowest and can’t believe in hisself ’cause the world done whipped him so! When you starts measuring somebody, measure him right, child, measure him right. Make sure you done taken into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is.”
Powerful stuff. A play for all to see - should be required reading/viewing for highschoolers.
I also just love Mama’s speech at the end to Beneatha: “Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody? Well then, you ain’t through learning—because that ain’t the time at all. It’s when he’s at his lowest and can’t believe in hisself ’cause the world done whipped him so! When you starts measuring somebody, measure him right, child, measure him right. Make sure you done taken into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is.”
Powerful stuff. A play for all to see - should be required reading/viewing for highschoolers.