Warm-up: ACT practice
• Test 1, questions 1-5. Answer on the bubble
sheet.
• We will go over the correct answers in 5
minutes.
Today’s learning goal
• Today you will analyze poetry of the
Modernist period and identify themes.
From yesterday…
• A Raisin in the Sun is considered a Modernist
piece although it was written in 1958 (during
the Post-Modern period). Why do you think it
is placed in the Modernist period? Make a
guess and discuss with your group.
Preface to the play
• The preface to A Raisin in the Sun is a piece of
the long poem “Montage to a Dream
Deferred” titled “Harlem” by Langston
Hughes.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montage_of_a_
Dream_Deferred
• What is the purpose of a preface?
• Define: montage, defer, fester
Read the poem
• Read the poem and answer these three
questions on your own paper. Be prepared to
discuss your answers.
• http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/175
884
• What is Hughes' message about dreams
deferred?
• How do "dreams deferred" relate to the
American Dream?
• What central question does the poem ask?
Read another poem!
• “Let America Be America Again”
• Read silently and annotate.
• Discuss the poem and assigned question with
your group. Be ready to share with the class.
On your paper…
• Please answer the following question in
paragraph format. Include evidence from
either (or both) poems.
• According to the poems, what major obstacle
has interfered with African Americans' quest
for the American Dream?
Reading and viewing the play
• The text of the play is available online. You can
find it yourself or access it on my website.
• You ARE expected to read the play. However, we
will be viewing it in class as well. It IS a play and
was meant to be performed, so we will watch it.
However, reading the stage directions throughout
the play will add to your understanding
significantly.
• Complete the study guide while we watch; some
questions will need to be completed through
reading.