Guidelines

• Craft a clear, arguable thesis that transcends mere plot summary.
• Incorporate specific textual evidence (dialogue, stage directions, significant scenes) to bolster your argument.
• Explore how Hansberry employs dramatic structure and symbolism (e.g., the plant, the check, Clybourne Park) to reinforce her thematic message.
• Consider counterarguments or alternate interpretations where applicable.
• Aim for 4–6 paragraphs, including a compelling introduction and conclusion.

Suggested Approach (optional scaffold)

• Introduction: Present the conflict between the American Dream's promise and its reality for the Younger family.
• Body Paragraph 1: Analyze one character's aspiration and the forces that threaten or redirect it.
• Body Paragraph 2: Analyze a second character's aspiration, highlighting similarities or differences.
• Body Paragraph 3 (optional): Examine a symbol or dramatic moment that encapsulates Hansberry's argument.
• Conclusion: Reflect on what Hansberry ultimately conveys about hope, identity, and resilience.

Guidance for Students

• Introduction: Provide a brief context for the play and clearly state your thesis.
• Body Paragraphs: Analyze at least two characters (for example, Walter Lee, Beneatha, Lena/Mama, Ruth) and the specific dreams they chase. Think about how race, gender, and class influence each character's access to — or denial of — the American Dream.
• Counterargument: Recognize and respond to a viewpoint that complicates your argument.
• Conclusion: Reflect on what Hansberry's depiction of the Dream reveals about American society as a whole.

Key Passages to Consider

Suggested length: 4–6 paragraphs | MLA or Chicago citation format

• Walter Lee's monologue about money and manhood (Act I, Scene II)
• Mama's purchase of the house in Clybourne Park (Act II)
• Karl Lindner's offer from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association (Act II, Scene III)
• Beneatha's discussions about her identity and dreams

Suggested Approach

• Introduction: Introduce the central conflict between the ideal of the American Dream and the reality that the Younger family experiences. Conclude with a clear, arguable thesis statement.
• Body Paragraph 1: Analyze one character's dream (such as Walter Lee's business ambitions) and how outside forces limit it.
• Body Paragraph 2: Explore a contrasting dream (like Beneatha's aspirations in medicine and her connection to African identity) to illustrate how Hansberry complicates a singular narrative of oppression.
• Body Paragraph 3: Discuss the symbol of Mama's plant and/or the house in Clybourne Park as a key representation of deferred versus achieved dreams.
• Conclusion: Reflect on what Hansberry ultimately conveys about resilience, dignity, and the price of dreaming in America.

Key Textual Evidence to Consider

Minimum length: 4–5 paragraphs | MLA or Chicago citation format

• Walter Lee's repeated insistence on being a "man" and his plans for a liquor store
• Beneatha's discussions with Asagai regarding assimilation and African heritage
• Mama's plant as a symbol of survival amidst adversity
• Karl Lindner's visit from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association
• The title's reference to Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem"