“Raisin” Socratic seminar
For the Socratic seminar, be prepared to discuss and debate your ideas about the following topics with the rest of the class. Remember you must be able to support all
statements with evidence from the play.
For each question, be sure to have (at the very least) a claim, textual evidence
Remember: quality preparation leads to quality discussion. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate. Good luck!
1. The play takes its names from a well-known Langston Hughes poem, “Harlem,” which is printed at the beginning of the play. Explain the connection between these two
works of literature (besides simply the title). How is each different type of dream relevant to each character? In other words, whose dream “[dried] up like a raisin
in the sun,” whose dream “festers like a sore” and so forth?
2. Who is the hero of the play? Why? Look up tragic hero. Who is the tragic hero?
3. At the beginning of the play, many students have negative opinions of Walter. By the end, however, he experiences a transformation. As we finish the play, is Walter
a likable character? Why or why not? Has he done enough to change our opinion?
4. What external factors hindered, or may have hindered, the Youngers’ achievement of their respective dreams? How do faith and family help the Youngers to move beyond
those external obstacles?
5. In Act III, scene i, Asagai defines and differentiates between the “idealists” and the “realists.” Who are the idealists in the play? Who are the realists? Is
anyone a well-balanced blend of both?
6. How does the American dream altar and shift depending on race, class and gender in the works we gave read this year, espeically Gatsby.
7. Is this play from 1958 still applicable today? Be specific.
8. Come up with 2 of your own discussion questions. These should be your own questions you have for me or the class.
5.
How do I cite this scolary source
Baldoni, J. (2009). Humility as a Leadership Trait. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved 9 February 2017, from https://hbr.org/2009/09/humility-as-a-leadership-trait
