Essay Overview
A Raisin in the Sun is about a family of dreamers. It is an exploration of where those dreams have brought them and where those dreams are likely to lead them. The play also challenges the popular view that dreams are always helpful, that people need to have dreams to be happy. Your task in this essay is to answer the following question:
In what ways can dreams harm dreamers?
- First, determine three general ways that dreams can be harmful to people.
- Next, find one example for each way in the text.
- Finally, find a second example for each way from one of the following exterior sources: current events, other literature, history, or popular culture.
You may wish to consider the following characters and dreams that each has:
- Ruth and Mama dream of becoming homeowners.
- Walter dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.
- Beneatha dreams of becoming a doctor.
- Asagai dreams of bringing independence to Africa.
Use the model found HERE to guide your planning.
Organization
While you do not need to complete a formal outline for this essay, you should use the following organizational structure for your five-paragraph essay:
I. Introduction
A. hook
B. link/topic
C. thesis
D. bridge
II. Harm 1
A. example from text
1. claim
2. evidence
a. set-up
b. cited quotation
3. explanation
B. example from exterior source
1. claim
2. evidence
3. explanation
III. Harm 2
A. example from text
1. claim
2. evidence
a. set-up
b. cited quotation
3. explanation
B. example from exterior source
1. claim
2. evidence
3. explanation
IV. Harm 3
A. example from text
1. claim
2. evidence
a. set-up
b. cited quotation
3. explanation
B. example from exterior source
1. claim
2. evidence
3. explanation
V. Conclusion
A. reflection of thesis
B. real-world application (So what?)