Journal Entry 9: One of the things that Fences is famous for is the way it examines the major ways that may African Americans feel are their only way out of poor neighborhoods and the cycle of poverty. For this entry, I want you to write some about the different ways the play shines a light on these methods of escaping poverty. In essay form, address each of the ways to escape poverty listed below. You can use bullet points or numbers for this entry, but be sure you spend several good sentences with examples for each response:
1) Steady Job. What does the play say about the notion of having a steady job as a way to escape poverty and live a better life? Give an example of at least character who does or does not succeed in making their life better and providing through a regular, steady, full time job. Give at least one quote from the play along with a parenthetical citation.
2) College. What does the play say about the notion of attending college as a way to escape poverty and live a better life? Give an example of at least character who does or does not succeed in making their life better and providing through a success in college. Give at least one quote from the play along with a parenthetical citation.
3) Sports. What does the play say about the notion of getting into professional sports to escape poverty and live a better life? Give an example of at least character who does or does not succeed in making their life better and providing through career in sports. Give at least one quote from the play along with a parenthetical citation.
4) Military. What does the play say about the notion joining the military as a way to escape poverty and live a better life? Give an example of at least character who does or does not succeed in making their life better and providing through joining the military. Give at least one quote from the play along with a parenthetical citation.
5) Hustling/Crime. What does the play say about turning to crime as a way to escape poverty and live a better life? Give an example of at least character who does or does not succeed in making money through crime. Give at least o
Journal Entry 10: For this journal entry, you will examine major characters from A Raisin in the Sun and compare them to the poem “Harlem” by Langston Hughes (page 667). That poem typically opens the play, and Hansberry said she wrote the play as a response to that poem. You will want to revisit that poem before starting this answer. Before getting to the questions, let’s look at what is happening in the poem. It starts with a profound question “What happens to a dream deferred?” In other words, what are the results on a person’s psyche and mental health when they live their entire lives without being able to achieve their dream? That is the key theme in this play, and I want you to consider the different things that Hughes says happens when you never get a chance to reach your dreams.
The poem suggests the following outcomes for this dream deferral:
Your dreams dry up like a raisin in the sun.
Your dreams will fester like a sore and then run.
Your dreams start to stink like rotten meat.
Your dreams crust over like a syrupy sweet.
Your dreams sag like a heavy load.
Your dreams just explode.
Now, for your response, consider two of the major characters from the play (you can pick Walter, Ruth, Benetha, or Mama). Which of the above examples (dry up, fester, etc) of the effects of a dream deferred happen to each of the characters you have selected? Give an example by way of a direct quote for your stance on each character. Finally, tell me if they are a static or dynamic charater.
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