Ripples in the Dream

This cause-and-effect worksheet is designed for students in Grades 8 and 9 to deepen understanding of character decisions, plot development, and thematic complexity in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Learners analyze key choices made by members of the Younger family, identifying the cause (motivation) behind each decision and the effect (consequence) it creates for the family as a whole. The chart format helps students visualize how individual actions generate ripple effects across relationships and outcomes.

Learning Goals

• Cause and Effect in Literature (Grades 8-9)
  Students trace how character motivations lead to meaningful consequences.
• Character Decision Analysis
  Learners examine why characters act as they do and how those actions shape others.
• Plot Development & Interconnection
  Activities reveal how multiple plotlines influence one another within the play.
• Analytical Thinking & Synthesis
  Students synthesize character, theme, and plot into clear explanations.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed by educators to align with middle school and early high school ELA standards.
• Clear Chart-Based Structure
  Supports organization and helps students track complex relationships between events.
• Builds Moral & Emotional Insight
  Highlights the ethical weight and emotional impact of personal choices.
• Supports Discussion & Writing
  Serves as a strong foundation for analytical paragraphs or class discussions.
• Flexible Classroom Use
  Ideal for literature units, guided practice, assessment prep, or review.
• Printable & No-Prep
  Easy to implement in classroom or homeschool settings.

This Ripples in the Dream worksheet helps students see how A Raisin in the Sun is driven by interconnected decisions rather than isolated events. By analyzing causes and consequences, learners strengthen comprehension, critical thinking, and appreciation for the play’s nuanced portrayal of family, responsibility, and dreams.

This worksheet is part of our A Raisin in the Sun collection.