At the conclusion of the movie A Raisin in the Sun, you are to write a review on Goodreads. The review to state the opinions you have about both the movie and the play.
To aid in the construction of this review, consider the questions associated with the five elements listed below. In order to successfully argue your opinions, it is required that your final review include direct quotes and detailed descriptions of characters, events, and other elements from the movie and the play.
- What differences did you notice in the tone (emotion) of the movie versus the play? What attributed to this change? What was the effect on the story itself?
- While reading the book we discussed the character Walter Lee. We agreed that he was not a character any of us really liked. We had a hard time relating to him and understanding his version of the American Dream. In short, we agreed he was a baby. How did you portray his character in the movie? Did you have these same feelings toward him? Why or why not? Did your feelings towards any of the other characters change from the play to the movie? Why or why not?
- There were many scenes that changed from the play to the movie. Some scenes were extended while some were cut short. Discuss some of these changes and the effect the scenes had on the story.
- Along with scene changes, there were also many plot changes. There were events and scenes that were added to the movie that did not happen in the play. There were also events that were deleted from the play and were not included in the movie. Discuss some of these changes and the effect the additions or deletions had on the story.
- Throughout the reading of the play, we discussed the role of identity. We talked about how life circumstances influence our perception of the American Dream, which is directly related to our identity. We discussed the role race plays in the conception of the American Dream. Finally, we talked about the difference between the Tragic Dream (i.e. Of Mice and Men) and the continual attempt to turn the Dream into reality (i.e. A Raisin in the Sun). How was the Dream portrayed in the movie? Was this different than in the play? Why or why not?
