A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the Sun

IntroductionIntroduction

A Dream DeferredA Dream Deferred

Watch this clip from a Nike commercial Watch this clip from a Nike commercial and pay attention to the words used in it.and pay attention to the words used in it.

SanyaSanya Richards Nike Ad ~A Dream Deferred~ (2 Richards Nike Ad ~A Dream Deferred~ (2008)008)

The above commercial uses a poem by The above commercial uses a poem by Langston Hughes entitled “Harlem”Langston Hughes entitled “Harlem”

““A Raisin in the Sun”A Raisin in the Sun”Lorraine Hansberry took the title of Lorraine Hansberry took the title of A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the Sun from a line in Langston Hughes's famous 1951 poem from a line in Langston Hughes's famous 1951 poem “Harlem.” Hughes was a prominent black poet during the “Harlem.” Hughes was a prominent black poet during the 1920s Harlem Renaissance in New York City, during 1920s Harlem Renaissance in New York City, during which black artists of all kinds—musicians, poets, writerswhich black artists of all kinds—musicians, poets, writers—gave innovative voices to their personal and cultural —gave innovative voices to their personal and cultural experiences. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of experiences. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of immense promise and hopefulness for black artists, as immense promise and hopefulness for black artists, as their efforts were noticed and applauded across the their efforts were noticed and applauded across the United States. United States.

Langston Hughes was one of the brightest lights of the Langston Hughes was one of the brightest lights of the Harlem Renaissance, and his poems and essays Harlem Renaissance, and his poems and essays celebrate black culture, creativity, and strength. celebrate black culture, creativity, and strength. However, Hughes wrote “Harlem” in 1951, twenty years However, Hughes wrote “Harlem” in 1951, twenty years after the Great Depression crushed the Harlem after the Great Depression crushed the Harlem Renaissance and devastated black communities more Renaissance and devastated black communities more terribly than any other group in the United States. terribly than any other group in the United States.

Harlem Harlem by Langston Hughesby Langston HughesWhat happens to a dream deferred?What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry upDoes it dry uplike a raisin in the sun?like a raisin in the sun?Or fester like a sore – Or fester like a sore – And then run?And then run?Does it stink like rotten meat?Does it stink like rotten meat?Or crust and sugar over – Or crust and sugar over – Like a syrupy sweet?Like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sagsMaybe it just sagslike a heavy load.like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?Or does it explode?

““Harlem” questionsHarlem” questions

1.1. What is Hughes’ message about dreams What is Hughes’ message about dreams deferred?deferred?

2.2. How do “dreams deferred” relate to the How do “dreams deferred” relate to the American dream? American dream?

““Let America Be America Again”Let America Be America Again”

Read another poem by Langston Hughes Read another poem by Langston Hughes entitled “Let America Be America Again” and entitled “Let America Be America Again” and then answer the following questions:then answer the following questions:

3.3. According to stanza 1, what does the poet According to stanza 1, what does the poet want?want?

4.4. Who are the dreamers in this poem?Who are the dreamers in this poem?5.5. What is the dream?What is the dream?6.6. What specific things have interfered with the What specific things have interfered with the

dream?dream?7.7. Which lines in the “America” poem compare to Which lines in the “America” poem compare to

the poem “Harlem”? the poem “Harlem”?

“I Have A Dream”

• Listen to Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech

Making ConnectionsMaking Connections

After reading Langston Hughes’ poems After reading Langston Hughes’ poems about dreams and listening to Martin about dreams and listening to Martin Luther King’s speech, predict what you Luther King’s speech, predict what you think the play think the play A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the Sun will be will be about. Write at least a paragraph.about. Write at least a paragraph.