Write an expository analysis of 1000-1100 words in response to ONE of the following prompts:
1. Much of the history of America has involved the assimilation of people from a wide variety of cultures into the American melting pot. In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, however, such assimilation is seen as degrading. Do you agree? What is more important for the success of America as a nation, developing a sense of a unified culture or maintaining cultural distinctions and identities from one’s heritage? Why? Be sure to incorporate textual/source evidence to support your claim.
2. To what extent does the character of Beneatha in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun foreshadow the rise of feminism in America? What characteristics does Beneatha display that later would be viewed approvingly by feminists? Are these characteristics approved by the playwright? Why or why not? Support your arguments with specifics from the play.
3. Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun presents racism, not only in the form of overt prejudice through the character of Karl Lindner, but also as a subtle underlying presence that colors all of black experience. Discuss the ways in which this more subtle form of racism is presented in the play. How does it affect the lives of the members of the Younger family? To what extent has this situation changed in the last several decades, and to what extent does it remain the same?
Like the first essay, this one will be organized around a non-obvious thesis; this thesis will be most effective if it states your overall argument about how your chosen theme is treated in “A Raisin in the Sun”. Most theses for this assignment will probably either have an argumentative and expository structure: Either way, your thesis, should be near the beginning of your essay, at the conclusion of a contextualizing introductory paragraph, summing up your entire claim.
The remainder of your paper will consist of paragraphs, each organized around a distinct sub-topic of your argument, which substantiates your claims through the use of clearly introduced and explicated textual evidence, either direct quotations from the texts or citations of specific events from them. As for the essay’s structure, there are at least two possible ways of proceeding. You could arrange your argument by topic: each paragraph will analyze your chosen topic on the grounds of their relevance to the subtopics of your thesis. Your essay should conclude with a paragraph that sums up your argument and suggests areas of further inquiry.
Grading criteria: an interesting and persuasive thesis, a clear and orderly structure, good use of textual evidence, and a general understanding of the texts you cite. Be sure to proofread carefully for spelling and grammar—such errors may overwhelm your ability to communicate with the reader—and also revise for clarity and eloquence.
Format: This essay should be at least 1000 words and no more than 1100 words. Use a standard font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Provide a heading with your name, date and the assignment, and include a descriptive, arresting title (e.g., “Structural Racism in A Raisin in The Sun ”) centered one line above the essay’s first line. This assignment does require a Works Cited page, and in-text parenthetical citations should follow MLA guidelines
