The reading on “The Nature of Drama” primarily discusses the specific narrative power of a staged performance. Summarize the text’s claims about this. Although we are reading A Raisin in the Sun, rather than watching a performance, do you find that it still presents dramatic action in a way that is different than the short stories we’ve read? Why or why not?
What do you find to be the theme of the play? State it in a concise sentence (and remember, this statement of theme should not explicitly refer to the play itself). Support your claim with evidence from the text.
Where do we see an instance of dramatic irony or irony of situation? Describe how an event from the play fits the definition. What does it add to how we understand a character or plot development?
Is Walter a protagonist or an antagonist? Both? Neither? Even if you found his actions earlier in the play to be reprehensible, do you feel he redeemed himself in the end?
The play presents a wide variety of ideas, through different characters, about what it means to be black in mid-20th-century America. What are some of these ideas? Which character are they presented through? Is there any in particular that Hansberry seems to agree with?
Beneatha has two possible romantic interests throughout play: George and Asagai. Each character gets a scene fully devoted to their interactions with Beneatha and her family. Aside from their relationships with Beneatha, what do George and Asagai represent?
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